tapas — English Dictionary

Noun

1. A variety of Spanish small savoury food items or snacks such as croquettes, cured meat, potato salad, and seafood, originally served with sherry and now often with other alcoholic beverages as well.

   Usage

   • plural
   • plural-normally

   Broader terms

   small plates

   Examples

   More examples (2)

   The snacks are called tapas because in the old days a piece of toast was served, too, so that you might have a "top" on your glass of sherry, a lid that would prevent the flies from getting into the glass.

   Most food scholars agree that the tapas tradition originated in the wine-growing regions of Andalusia, eventually spreading throughout the country. The Moors (Muslim Arabs), who dominated Spain from the beginning of the eighth century until the end of the fifteenth century, settled in the same area, and their meze tradition undoubtedly had an influence on the rise of the tapa.

Noun

1. (The practice of) asceticism and self-discipline.

   Usage

   • Hinduism
   • Jainism
   • Uncountable