Mess

A portion of food given to a guest (Gen. 43:34; 2 Sam. 11:8).

Part of speech: noun (n.)

Mass; church service. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. A quantity of food set on a table at one time; provision of food for a person or party for one meal; as, a mess of pottage; also, the food given to a beast at one time. At their savory dinner set Of herbs and other country messes. Milton.

2. A number of persons who eat together, and for whom food is prepared in common; especially, persons in the military or naval service who eat at the same table; as, the wardroom mess. Shak.

3. A set of four; -- from the old practice of dividing companies into sets of four at dinner. [Obs.] Latimer.

4. The milk given by a cow at one milking. [U.S.]

5. A disagreeable mixture or confusion of things; hence, a situation resulting from blundering or from misunderstanding; as, he made a mess of it. [Colloq.]

Part of speech: verb (v.)

To take meals with a mess; to belong to a mess; to eat (with others); as, I mess with the wardroom officers. Marryat.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

To supply with a mess.