viand

Borrowed from Anglo-Norman, from Old French, from Late Latin *vivanda, from Latin vīvenda, from the verb vīvō (“I live”). Compare victual.

• IPA^(key): /ˈvaɪ.ənd/

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viand (plural viands)

1. An item of food.
   • 1613, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Coriolanus”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies, London: Printed by Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, OCLC 606515358, Act I, scene i, pages 1–2:

     There was a time, when all the bodies members / Rebell'd againſt the Belly; thus accus'd it: / That onely like a Gulfe it did remaine / I'th midd'ſt a th'body, idle and vnactiue, / Still cubbording the Viand, neuer bearing / Like labour with the reſt, where th'other Inſtruments / Did ſee, and heare, deuiſe, inſtruct, walke, feele, / And mutually participate, did miniſter / Vnto the appetite; […]

2. A choice dish.
   • 1837 Thomas Carlyle, The French Revolution: A History

     The Motier and Lepelletier tables still groan with viands; roofs ringing with patriotic toasts.

   • 1852 CE: William and Robert Chambers, Chambers' Edinburgh Journal

     [H]is heart swelled within him, as he sat at the head of his own table, on the occasion of the house-warming, dispensing with no niggard hand the gratuitous viands and unlimited beer, which were at once to symbolise and inaugurate the hospitality of his mansion.

A misnomer.

viand (plural viands)

1. (Philippine English) An item of food eaten with rice.

• Davin, Navid, divan