— feaster , n. — feastless , adj.
/feest/ , n.
1. any rich or abundant meal: The steak dinner was a feast.
2. a sumptuous entertainment or meal for many guests: a wedding feast.
3. something highly agreeable: The Rembrandt exhibition was a feast for the eyes.
4. a periodical celebration or time of celebration, usually of a religious nature, commemorating an event, person, etc.: Every year, in September, the townspeople have a feast in honor of their patron saint.
v.i.
5. to have or partake of a feast; eat sumptuously.
6. to dwell with gratification or delight, as on a picture or view.
v.t.
7. to provide or entertain with a feast.
8. feast one's eyes , to gaze with great joy, admiration, or relish: to feast one's eyes on the Grand Canyon.
[ 1150-1200; ME feste festa, neut. pl. (taken as fem. sing. n.) of festus festal, festive, equiv. to fes- (akin to FAIR 2 ) + -tus adj. suffix ]
Syn. 2. FEAST, BANQUET imply large social events, with an abundance of food. A FEAST is a meal with a plenteous supply of food and drink for a large company: to provide a feast for all company employees. A BANQUET is an elaborate feast for a formal and ceremonious occasion: the main speaker at a banquet.