relish

—relishable, adj. —relishingly, adv.

/rel"ish/, n.

1. liking or enjoyment of the taste of something.

2. pleasurable appreciation of anything; liking: He has no relish for obscene jokes.

3. Cookery.

a. something savory or appetizing added to a meal, as pickles or olives.

b. a sweet pickle made of various vegetables, usually chopped or minced.

c. an appetizer or hors d'oeuvre.

4. a pleasing or appetizing flavor.

5. a pleasing or enjoyable quality.

6. a taste or flavor.

7. a smack, trace, or touch of something.

v.t.

8. to take pleasure in; like; enjoy: I don't relish the long drive home.

9. to make pleasing to the taste.

10. to like the taste of.

v.i.

11. to have taste or flavor.

12. to be agreeable.

[1520-30; alter. of ME reles aftertaste, scent < OF, var. of relais remainder, that left behind; see RELEASE]

Syn. 1, 2. gusto, zest. 2. inclination, partiality, predilection, preference. 3. condiment, appetizer. 6. savor. 8. appreciate.

Ant. 1, 2. distaste, disfavor.

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▪ food

      vegetable side dish that is eaten in small quantities with a blander main dish to pique the appetite by its contrasting texture and spicy or piquant taste. Relishes are frequently finely cut vegetables or fruit in sour, sweet-sour, or spicy sauce. The Indonesian and Malaysian sambal, Indian chutney, achar, and raita, and Korean kimchi are relishes that accompany virtually every meal in their respective cuisines. Lombardy in Italy specializes in mostarda di frutta, a melange of fruits preserved in a sweet syrup, sharp with mustard. In the Pennsylvania Dutch (Pennsylvania German) (see Pennsylvania German) cuisine of the United States, “seven sweets and seven sours” traditionally were served, among them many that are favourites throughout the country: pickled cucumbers, onions, beets, crabapples, watermelon rind, and mixtures of chopped vegetables such as piccalilli and chow chow.

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