Definition of "delicatessen" [del•i•ca•tes•sen]

• A shop that sells cooked or prepared foods ready for serving. (noun)
• Ready-to-serve foods such as cheeses, cold cooked meats, and salads. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Did you know that "delicatessen" is German for "pleasing things to eat"?"
• "** I bought this on a trip to Spain, it should be available in Spanish delicatessen or via mail order."
• "The first place we see is a delicatessen, which is about my favorite kind of place to eat anyway."