entree

Where does the word "entree" come from? It comes from French entree, and was adopted directly into English (1700s).

Entree’s story begins in French: entree meant “an entry, an entrance.” Literally an entry, originally the dish served upon entering a formal meal. It reached English by 1700s as entree. Settled as the word for a dish served during a meal, later the main course. Today, entree means the main course of a meal, or a means of gaining entry.

1. Stage 1 · French · medieval entree "an entry, an entrance", literally an entry, originally the dish served upon entering a formal meal.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1700s entree "a course of a meal, or in American usage, the main course", settled as the word for a dish served during a meal, later the main course.