cater Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb give what is desired or needed, especially support, food or sustenance
    provide; ply; supply.
    • The hostess provided lunch for all the guests
  2. verb supply food ready to eat; for parties and banquets

WordNet

Ca"ter noun
Etymology
OE. catour purchaser, caterer, OF. acator, fr. acater, F. acheter, to buy, provide, fr. LL. accaptare; L. ad + captare to strive, to seize, intens, of capere to take, seize. Cf. Acater, Capacious.
Definitions
  1. A provider; a purveyor; a caterer. Obs. Chaucer.
Ca"ter intransitive verb
Etymology
From Cater, n.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Catered ; present participle & verbal noun Catering
Definitions
  1. To provide food; to buy, procure, or prepare provisions.
    [He] providently caters for the sparrow. Shak.
  2. By extension: To supply what is needed or desired, at theatrical or musical entertainments; -- followed by for or to.
Ca"ter noun
Etymology
F. quatre four.
Definitions
  1. The four of cards or dice.
Ca"ter transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To cut diagonally. Obs. Halliwell.

Webster 1913