Appetizers

Appetizers and hors d’oeuvres—the latter literally meaning “outside of the work”—assume a wide variety of forms in American dining. Late-twentieth-century dictionaries treat appetizers and hors d’oeuvres—popularly understood to be bite-sized finger foods offered at cocktail parties and receptions—as synonyms. Americans also use “appetizer” to indicate the first course eaten when seated at table in a three-course (appetizer, main course, dessert) meal.