Your ShelfYour Projects
Webster's Dictionary (1865)

3 entries under this word

Mess

Mĕss, n.

noun

n. [A-S. mese, myse, Goth. mes, a table; Lat. mensa, O. H. Ger. mias, meas, Goth. mats, O. H. Ger. maz, food; Fr. mets, O. Fr. metz, meests, mes, mas, dish, mess, viand; Norm. Fr. mees, meese.] 1. A dish, or a quantity of food prepared or set on a table at one time; provision of food for a person or party for one meal; as, a mess of pottage. At their savory dinner set Of herbs and other country messes. Milton.

  1. A number of persons who eat together, and for whom food is prepared in common; especially, a set of officers who eat at the same table together; — used chiefly among soldiers and sailors.
  2. A medley; a mixed mass; a confusion or embarrassment.

Mĕss, v. i.

verbintransitive

v. i. [imp. & p. p. MESSED (mĕst); p. pr. & vb. n. MESSING.] [A-S. metsian, to give meed, to feed. Cf. supra.]

  1. To eat; to feed.
  2. To associate at the same table; to eat in company.

Mĕss, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. To supply with a mess.