Hors d'oeuvre \Hors` d'[oe]uvre"\; pl. {Hors d'[oe]uveres}. [F., lit., outside of work.] 1. Something unusual or extraordinary. [R.] 2. A dish served as a relish, usually at the beginning of a meal.
hors d'oeuvre n : a dish served as an appetizer before the main meal