ȯrˈdərv, ȯ(ə)ˈdərv; ȯ(ə)ˈdə̄v; sometimes ȯrˈdev noun
( plural hors d'oeuvres also hors d'oeuvre -v(z))
Etymology: French hors-d'œuvre something nonessential, side dish, hors d'oeuvre, from the phrase hors d'œuvre, nonessential, literally, outside of work
: any of various savory foods (as olives, anchovies, or spiced crab apples) usually served as appetizers at the beginning of a meal — usually used in plural; compare canapé 1