[caf.e.te.ria] n [AmerSp cafeteria coffeehouse, fr. cafetera coffee maker, fr. F cafetiere, fr. cafe] (1839): a restaurant in which the customers serve themselves or are served at a counter and take the food to tables to eat
[2]cafeteria adj (1951): providing a selection from which a choice may be made "~ benefit plan" "a ~ curriculum"