Animal flesh used as food; the plural form of meat, referring to various types of animal protein consumed by humans.
From Old English 'mete' meaning food in general, gradually narrowing to specifically mean animal flesh by the 14th century. The semantic shift reflects the increasing luxury and specificity of meat consumption in medieval society.
The word 'meat' once meant any food - 'sweetmeats' were candies, not animal products. This linguistic evolution mirrors humanity's complex relationship with animal consumption, from necessity to luxury to modern ethical debates about plant-based alternatives.
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