zakuskahttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zakuska_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_usezakuska, n.
First published 1986; not fully revised

zakuskanoun

  1. 1885–
    An hors d'œuvre. Frequently plural
    The singular form has occasionally been construed as plural.
    1. 1885
      The refreshment-room is enormous,..with a great buffet at one end, whither the Russians resort before dinner for the customary zakuska of pickles, sardines, vodki, &c.
      A. J. C. Hare, Studies in Russia v. 203
    2. 1919
      The ‘Zakuska’ were on a side-table near the door—herrings and ham and smoked fish and radishes and mushrooms and tongue and caviare.
      H. Walpole, Secret City i. xii. 79
    3. 1920
      It began with many zakuskas, consisting principally of dubious-looking tinned fish.
      E. Sykes & P. Sykes, Through Deserts & Oases of Central Asia iv. 73
    4. 1922
      The emotion..was diverted by the appearance of two Chinese servants in long silk robes and four-sided hats with cocktails and zakouski.
      W. S. Maugham, On Chinese Screen vi. 27
    5. 1933
      There were also little snippets of lobster in tomato cocktails, which were among the least successful of zakouska that I have ever known.
      H. Nicolson, Letter 7 November (1966) 156
    6. 1951
      I detest crowds, harried waiters, Bohemians, vermouth concoctions, coffee, zakuski, floor shows and so forth.
      V. Nabokov, Speak, Memory xiv. 213
    7. 1981
      The Zakouski, the borshch and the blini of his homeland.
      T. Keene, Skyshroud i. 18

zakuska, n. was first published in 1986; not fully revised.

zakuska, n. was last modified in December 2024.