Read Gluttony: A Dictionary for the Indulgent for Free Online

B
bacchanalian
    (back-uh-NAIL-yuhn)
    ADJECTIVE: Drunken and carousing.
banquet
    (BANG-kwit)
    NOUN: An elaborate meal, often held in honor of a specific person or occasion.
batterie de cuisine
    (bat-uh-REE duh kwee-ZEEN)
    NOUN: A French phrase meaning cooking utensils or vessels.
beefy
    (BEEF-ee)
    ADJECTIVE: Strong or muscular.
bender
    (BEN-der)
    NOUN: A protracted drinking binge.
    Ironically, Shane missed his first day of work when a couple of cocktails to celebrate his new job turned into a three-day BENDER.
besotted
    (bih-SOTT-ed)
    ADJECTIVE: Foolish as the result of something, such as love, money, or—most often—alcohol; drunk.
bibulous
    (BIB-yuh-luss)
    ADJECTIVE: Having a tendency to drink too much.
binge
    (binj)
    NOUN: A period of uncontrolled eating or drinking.
bite
    (bahyt)
    NOUN: A small amount of food.
blatant
    (BLAYT-ent)
    ADJECTIVE: Excessively obvious or conspicuous; flagrant.
    Gluttony is an emotional escape, a sign something
is eating us.
    —P ETER D E V RIES
blather
    (BLATH-er)
    VERB: To speak at length in a foolish manner; babble.
blubber
    (BLUHB-er)
    NOUN: Excess body fat.
    The corpulent woman’s underarm BLUBBER sagged as she reached over her neighbor’s plate, almost dragging her fat through his food.
bolt
    (bohlt)
    VERB: To gobble up or chew food in a hurried manner.
bon vivant
    (BON vee-VAHNT)
    NOUN: One who lives the good life, particularly as it relates to food and drink. Also called a bon viveur .
    A true BON VIVANT, Katherine spent the last year traveling the world indulging in the local delicacies of every stop.
bottomless
    (BOT-uhm-liss)
    ADJECTIVE: Unlimited or without end; unending.
    His stein appeared BOTTOMLESS since every time he finished his drink the bartender was there to immediately refill it.
bountiful
    (BOUN-tih-ful)
    ADJECTIVE: In large supply; plentiful.
braggadocio
    (brag-uh-DOH-shee-oh)
    NOUN: Boasting or bragging; a person who boasts or brags endlessly.
braggart
    (BRAG-ert)
    NOUN: A person who brags or boasts often.
brawny
    (BRAWN-ee)
    ADJECTIVE: Big or muscular; strapping.
    In love, as in gluttony, pleasure is a matter of the utmost precision.
    —I TALO C ALVINO
bulky
    (BUHL-kee)
    ADJECTIVE: Large and cumbersome; broad or heavy.
burst
    (burst)
    VERB: To bust or break open in a forceful, violent, and usually unintentional manner; erupt.
buzz
    (buzz)
    NOUN: A feeling of pleasure or excitement that can be related to a positive experience or accomplishment or light intoxication.
    Excess of liberty, whether it lies in state or individuals, seems only to pass into excess of slavery.
    —P LATO

C
capacity
    (kuh-PASS-ih-tee)
    NOUN: The maximum amount of something that can be held; the ability to do something.
carouse
    (kuh-ROWZ)
    VERB: To take part in a loud or rowdy social activity, typically one involving alcohol.
    It is well known that CAROUSING with Mitchell is an all-night affair, with more toasting and drinking in one evening than most do in one year.
chock full
    (CHOHK ful)
    ADJECTIVE: Filled to the brim; bursting.
chock-a-block
    (CHOHK-uh-blohk)
    ADJECTIVE: Filled to capacity; squeezed together.
    There is a difference
between eating and
drinking for strength and from mere gluttony.
    —H ENRY D AVID T HOREAU
chowhound
    (CHOU-hound)
    NOUN: A person who thoroughly enjoys food and eating.
chubby
    (CHUB-ee)
    ADJECTIVE: Heavy or plump.
chunky
    (CHUNG-kee)
    ADJECTIVE: Stout or stocky.
complacent
    (kuhm-PLAY-cent)
    ADJECTIVE: Self-satisfied in such a way that one becomes unaware of potential dangers or changes; smug.
compulsive
    (kuhm-PUHL-siv)
    ADJECTIVE: An excessive need or desire that seems to be motivated by some internal force.
connoisseur
    (kon-uh-SOHR)
    NOUN: One who has developed an expertise or is a specialist in some field or artistic endeavor; an expert.
consumption
    (kohn-SUMP-shun)
    NOUN: The act of consuming or utilizing something; the word is often used in reference to food or eating.
contentment
    (kohn-TENT-muhnt)
    NOUN: A state of feeling satisfied;