n.
- the flesh of an animal (especially a mammal) as food.
▸N. Amer. the edible part of fruits, nuts, or eggs.
▸
(the meat of)
the essence or chief part of.
- archaic food of any kind.
Phrase
- be meat and drink to
Brit. - be a source of great pleasure to.
- be a routine matter for.
- easy meat
informal a person that is easily overcome or outwitted. - meat and potatoes
N. Amer. ordinary but fundamental things.
Derivative
Etymology
OE mete ‘food’ or ‘article of food’, of Gmc origin.