CultureAugust 31, 2026
sweetmeats
SWEET-meets
Definition
An archaic or traditional term for candied or sugared fruits, nuts, or other small, highly sweetened confections.
Etymology
Derived from the Middle English 'swete' (sweet) and 'mete' (food/meat), the term originally referred to any food that was sweet, eventually narrowing its meaning to confections like candied fruit.
In the news
The word is used in the article to describe the historical, ornate displays of sugary delicacies that served as early predecessors to modern tiered food structures.
The Psychology Behind Food Towers: Why Are We Drawn to Tiered Meals?
Read the full article ↗VinePair