victual

vict·ual  (vtl)

n.

1. Food fit for human consumption.

2. victuals Food supplies; provisions.

v. vict·ualed or vict·ualled, vict·ual·ing or vict·ual·ling, vict·uals

v.tr.

To provide with food.

v.intr.

1. To lay in food supplies.

2. To eat.

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[Alteration (influenced by Late Latin vctulia, provisions) of Middle English vitaille, from Old French, from Late Latin vctulia, provisions, from neuter pl. of Latin vctulis, of nourishment, from vctus, nourishment, from past participle of vvere, to live; see g^wei- in Indo-European roots.]

Usage Note: The modern pronunciation of victual, (vtl), represents an Anglicized pronunciation of the Old French form vitaille, which was borrowed into English in the early 14th century. The modern English spelling reflects the fact that in both French and English the word was sometimes spelled with a c, and later also with a u, under the influence of its Late Latin ancestor victulia, meaning "provisions." The word is now occasionally spelled vittle rather than victual, but in either case the pronunciation is (vtl).

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victual

Verb

[-ualling, -ualled] or US [-ualing, -ualed] Old-fashioned to supply with or obtain victuals [Latin victus sustenance]

victualler or US
-ualer n

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	victual - any substance that can be used as food comestible, eatable, edible, pabulum, victuals food, nutrient - any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue tuck - eatables (especially sweets)
Verb	1.	victual - supply with food; "The population was victualed during the war" furnish, provide, supply, render - give something useful or necessary to; "We provided the room with an electrical heater"
	2.	victual - lay in provisions; "The vessel victualled before the long voyage" salt away, stack away, stash away, store, hive away, lay in, put in - keep or lay aside for future use; "store grain for the winter"; "The bear stores fat for the period of hibernation when he doesn't eat"
	3.	victual - take in nourishment                   eat - eat a meal; take a meal; "We did not eat until 10 P.M. because there were so many phone calls"; "I didn't eat yet, so I gladly accept your invitation"