/dish/ , n.
1. an open, relatively shallow container of pottery, glass, metal, wood, etc., used for various purposes, esp. for holding or serving food.
2. any container used at table: dirty dishes.
3. the food served or contained in a dish: The meal consisted of several dishes.
4. a particular article, type, or preparation of food: Rice is an inexpensive dish.
5. the quantity held by a dish; dishful: a dish of applesauce.
6. anything like a dish in form or use.
7. concavity or the degree of concavity, as of a wheel.
8. Also called dish antenna . a concave, dish-shaped reflector serving to focus electromagnetic energy as part of a transmitter or receiver of radio, television, or microwave signals.
9. Slang ( sometimes offensive ). an attractive girl or woman: The receptionist is quite a dish.
10. Slang. an item of gossip.
v.t.
11. to put into or serve in a dish, as food: to dish food onto plates.
12. to fashion like a dish; make concave.
13. Slang. to gossip about: They talked all night, dishing their former friends.
14. Slang. to defeat; frustrate; cheat.
v.i.
15. Slang. to talk together informally, esp., to gossip.
16. dish it out , Informal. to dispense abusive language, punishment, or praise, enthusiastic approval, etc.: When it comes to flattery, he can really dish it out.
17. dish out , Informal.
a. to serve (food) from a serving dish, pot, etc.
b. to deal out; distribute: She dished out our pay in silver dollars.
[ bef. 900; ME; OE disc dish, plate, bowl (akin to G Tisch table) discus dish, DISCUS ]