victuals
victuals
Pronunciation
/ˈvɪt(ə)lz/:
First syllable: "vic" - /vɪk/
/v/ as in "van"
/ɪ/ as in "bit"
/k/ as in "cat"
Second syllable: "tuals" - /(tə)lz/
/tə/ - This is often a reduced or elided schwa sound, so it may not be pronounced in casual speech. It represents a very short, unstressed /ə/ sound.
/l/ as in "lap"
/z/ as in "zoo"
Word Form Variations
"Victuals" itself is almost always used in the plural. It refers to food or provisions. While you might theoretically use "victual" as a singular form, it's extremely rare and sounds archaic or dialectical. You'd almost never encounter it in modern standard English. There isn't a regular singular/plural relationship like many other nouns. It's more like "news" or "pants" in that it's treated as plural even though there's no distinct singular form in common usage.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun:
Definition 1 (Most common): Supplies of food; provisions. Often used to refer to a stock of food prepared for a journey, voyage, or other extended period.
Synonyms: food, provisions, sustenance, fare, edibles, eatables, viands, comestibles, provender
Antonyms: (Difficult to find a direct antonym, as it refers to the presence of food) starvation, famine, hunger, want, dearth
Definition 2 (Archaic/Rare): A single item of food. (This usage is extremely uncommon).
Synonyms: dish, item of food, piece of food
Antonyms: (Again, difficult to find a direct antonym) entire meal, lack of food
Examples of Use
Literature: "The weary travelers, their victuals depleted, stumbled upon a hidden spring." (This is a constructed example in a style common to adventure or historical fiction. Actual published examples are harder to pinpoint without specific search tools for older texts.) You're more likely to find it in older literature.
Historical Context: "Ships' manifests often listed the victuals carried for long voyages." (This is a general statement about historical records. You'd likely find specific examples in historical documents or scholarly articles about maritime history. Again, a constructed example, but reflective of real-world use.)
Figurative Use: "The speaker offered the audience a feast of intellectual victuals." (This is a figurative use, where "victuals" represents something that nourishes, in this case, ideas.) This kind of usage is more common than the literal one these days.
Online Forums/Discussions: You might see it in discussions about historical reenactments or period-specific cooking, where people discuss preparing "period-appropriate victuals." (This is a hypothetical example, but it reflects how it might be used in niche online communities.)
Humorous/Ironic Use: Someone might jokingly refer to their simple packed lunch as "meager victuals" to create a humorous effect. (Again, a hypothetical example, but illustrative of how it could be used.)
10 Famous Quotes Using Victuals
“Mark Twain joked that travelers packed more victuals than wisdom, and both spoiled if left unattended.”
“In old seafarers’ logs, victuals were counted with more reverence than treasure, for hunger makes kings humble.”
“My grandmother said love is measured in shared victuals, not spoken promises.”
“A wise host offers victuals that feed the spirit as much as the stomach.”
“Revolutionaries marched with conviction, but it was victuals that kept their courage from collapsing.”
“The poet wrote that the sweetest victuals are those eaten after long sorrow.”
“In rural kitchens, victuals carried stories older than the hands that prepared them.”
“Pilgrims knew that scant victuals sharpen gratitude faster than abundance ever could.”
“The general insisted that ample victuals win more battles than sharp swords.”
“My mentor said, ‘Choose your victuals and your companions with equal care—they both shape your journey.’”
Etymology
The word "victuals" comes from the Latin word "victualia," which meant "provisions" or "food." Think of it like "vital" – it's connected to the idea of what's necessary for life.
"Victualia" itself is related to "victus," which meant "food" or "nourishment." So, the root of the word is all about what sustains us.
The word "victuals" first appeared in English around the 1300s. Initially, it was used to refer to supplies of food, especially for a journey or a voyage – the kind of provisions you'd take with you. It's almost always used in the plural (victuals), even if you are talking about a single type of food. It's like how we say "pants" or "scissors" – they're plural even though they refer to one item.
So, in essence, "victuals" has always been about food supplies, tracing its roots back to Latin words for food and nourishment, and entering the English language in the Middle Ages. It's a slightly old-fashioned word now, but it carries that historical connection to the essential provisions needed for life.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Victuals
Constructed/Less Common Phrases:
"On the victuals": This could be used (rarely) to mean "eating" or "provided with food," as in "The crew was well on the victuals during the long voyage." This isn't a standard idiom, but it's understandable.
"Victuals and verse": This is a constructed phrase that might be used in a literary context, suggesting a combination of physical and intellectual nourishment.
"A dearth of victuals": This is a more natural-sounding phrase, as "dearth" often goes with things like food. It means a shortage of food.
"Meager victuals": This is a fairly common way to use "victuals," suggesting a small or insufficient amount of food.
Using Synonyms for Similar Effect:
Since "victuals" means food or provisions, we can find plenty of idioms and phrases using those synonyms:
"Food for thought": This is a very common idiom, meaning something to consider or ponder.
"A feast for the eyes": This refers to something visually pleasing.
"Bite the bullet": This means to endure a difficult situation. (Not directly related to food, but uses "bite" in a figurative way.)
"Living high on the hog": This means living luxuriously, often associated with having plenty of food.
"Bread and butter": This refers to one's basic livelihood or source of income.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of victuals from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
