cater

v. t. To cut diagonally. [ Obs. ] Halliwell. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. catour purchaser, caterer, OF. acator, fr. acater, F. acheter, to buy, provide, fr. LL. accaptare; L. ad + captare to strive, to seize, intens, of capere to take, seize. Cf. Acater, Capacious. ] A provider; a purveyor; a caterer. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Catered p. pr. & vb. n. Catering. ] [ From Cater, n. ] 1. To provide food; to buy, procure, or prepare provisions. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ He ] providently caters for the sparrow. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. By extension: To supply what is needed or desired, at theatrical or musical entertainments; -- followed by for or to. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. quatre four. ] The four of cards or dice. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Gael. ceatharnach. Cf. Kern Irish foot soldier. ] A Highland robber: a kind of irregular soldier. [ Scot. ] Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. Cater to cut diagonally. ] Diagonal. [ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A remote relation. See Quater-cousin. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who caters. [ 1913 Webster ]

The little fowls in the air have God for Their provider and caterer. Shelton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A woman who caters. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]