dessert

noun

Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *dwóh₁ Proto-Indo-European *d(w)is- Proto-Italic *dis- Latin dis- Old French des- Middle French des- Proto-Indo-European *ser-der.? Proto-Italic *serwos Latin servus Proto-Indo-European *-yétider. Latin -iō Latin serviō Old French servir Middle French servir Middle French desservir Middle French dessertbor. English dessert Borrowed from Middle French dessert, from desservir (“disserve”), from dés- (“dis-”) and servir (“serve”), thus literally meaning “removal of what has been served”. Note: It was erroneously suggested (e.g. in "Glucose syrups: Technology and Applications" (Peter Hull, 2010)) that the word is derived from the name of Benjamin Delessert, the inventor of beet sugar. However, the term predates him by at least a century.

1. The last course of a meal, consisting of fruit, sweet confections etc.

   “I ordered hummus for a starter, a steak as the main course, and chocolate cake for dessert.”

   “Can I see the dessert menu, please?”

2. A sweet dish or confection served as the last course of a meal.

   “Trifle is a favourite dessert of the English, but rivalled by pavlova in Australia and New Zealand.”