buffet

Definition

A counter or sideboard from which food and drinks are served or may be bought.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English buffet (“stool”), from Middle French buffet (“side table”), from Old French buffet, of unknown origin. The modern pronunciation is remodelled after modern French buffet.

Example Sentences

• "They stayed together during three dances, went out on to the terrace, explored wherever they were permitted to explore, paid two visits to the buffet, and enjoyed themselves much in the same way as if they had been school-children surreptitiously breaking loose from an assembly of grown-ups."
• "We'll be serving supper buffet style."
• ""We got a big buffet coming up soon. Bacon, eggs, fresh fruit you wouldn't believe.""