n. & v.
n. 1 the kinds of food that a person or animal habitually eats. 2 a special course of food to which a person is restricted, esp. for medical reasons or to control weight. 3 a regular occupation or series of activities to which one is restricted or which form one's main concern, usu. for a purpose (a diet of light reading and fresh air).
v. (dieted, dieting) 1 intr. restrict oneself to small amounts or special kinds of food, esp. to control one's weight. 2 tr. restrict (a person or animal) to a special diet. dieter n.
[ ME f. OF diete (n.), dieter (v.) f. L diaeta f. Gk diaita a way of life ]