ca|ter

ca|ter¹ «KAY tuhr», intransitive verb.

1. to provide food and supplies, and sometimes service: »

He runs a restaurant and also caters for weddings and parties.

SYNONYM(S): purvey.

2. Figurative. to provide what is needed or wanted: »

The Children's Palace in Shanghai is a recreation centre catering for children from 7 to 17 years old (Manchester Guardian Weekly). The sculptor also won honor in San Mateo, a suburb that caters to split-level executives (Harper's).

–v.t.

to provide food or supplies for (a party, wedding, or other social function): »

to cater an affair.

SYNONYM(S): purvey.

╂[< earlier cater buyer, Middle English acatour < Old North French acateor < acater buy < Vulgar Latin accaptāre acqre < Latin ad- to + captāre seize < capere take]

ca|ter² «KAY tuhr», noun. Obsolete or Archaic.

1. four.

2. the four at cards or dice.

╂[< French quatre four]