Diet
/ˈdaɪ.ət/noun
The kinds of food a person regularly eats, or a prescribed way of eating.
Did you know?In older English, a diet could mean a whole regimen of life or a formal assembly, showing how closely food, routine, and power were once linked.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dyeu-
“to shine; daylight, sky”
Ancient Greek
Greek
δίαιτα (díaita)
“a way of life, regimen, or prescribed mode of living”
Late Latin
Latin
diaeta
“a way of life; regimen; also a chamber or apartment”
Old French
Old French
diete
“a regimen; also an assembly or formal meeting”
Middle English
English
diete
“a prescribed course of food; also a formal assembly”
Modern English
English
diet
“the habitual food and drink of a person or group”