Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - meat

 noun  Etymology: Middle English mete, from Old English; akin to Old High German maz food  Date: before 12th century  1.  a. food; especially solid food as distinguished from drink  b. the edible part of something as distinguished from its covering (as a husk or shell)  2. animal tissue considered especially as food:  a. flesh 2b; also flesh of a mammal as opposed to fowl or fish  b. flesh 1a; specifically flesh of domesticated animals  3. archaic meal I,1; especially dinner  4.  a. the core of something ; heart  b. pith 2b a novel with ~  5. favorite pursuit or interest  • ~ed adjective  • ~less adjective