Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Victuals
Vict′uals
(vĭt′’lz)
, Noun.
pl.
[OE.
vitaille
, OF. vitaille
, F. victuaille
, pl. victuailles
, fr. L. victualia
, pl. of. victualis
belonging to living or nourishment, fr. victus
nourishment, from vivere
, victum
, to live; akin to vivus
living. See Vivid
.] Food for human beings, esp. when it is cooked or prepared for the table; that which supports human life; provisions; sustenance; meat; viands.
Then had we plenty of
victuals
. Jer. xliv. 17.
Webster 1828 Edition
Victuals
VICTUALS
,Noun.
Food for human beings, prepared for eating; that which supports human life; provisions; meat; sustenance. We never apply this word to that on which beasts or birds feed, and we apply it chiefly to food for men when cooked or prepared for the table. We do not now give this name to flesh, corn or flour, in a crude state; but we say, the victuals are well cooked or dressed, and in great abundance. We say, a man eats his victuals with a good relish.
Such phrases as to buy victuals for the army or navy, to lay in victuals for the winter, &c. are now obsolete. We say, to buy provisions; yet we use the verb, to victual an army or ship.