different between gourmand vs epicurean

English

Alternative forms

• gormand

Etymology

From Middle English gourmaunt, gormond, gromonde, from Old French gormant (“a glutton”, noun), from gormant (“gluttonous”, adjective), of uncertain origin.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /????.m?nd/, /????m??/
• (US) IPA^(key): /????m?nd/, /????.m?nd/

Noun

gourmand (plural gourmands)

1. A person given to excess in the consumption of food and drink; a greedy or ravenous eater.
2. A person who appreciates good food.

Synonyms

• (person given to excess consumption): glutton, trencherman, see also Thesaurus:glutton
• (person who appreciates food): chowhound, gastronaut, gourmet
• (person with a special interest or knowledge of food): foodie

Derived terms

• gourmandise
• gourmandism

Translations

See also

• gourmet

French

Etymology

From Middle French gourmant (“glutton”), originally an adjectival form, from Old French, where it had the sense of trencherman, but of uncertain ultimate origin.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?u?.m??/
• Homophone: gourmands
• Hyphenation: gour?mand

Adjective

gourmand (feminine singular gourmande, masculine plural gourmands, feminine plural gourmandes)

1. eating a lot
2. (more recently) having a love for good food, demanding of food quality

Noun

gourmand m (plural gourmands, feminine gourmande)

1. a person who eats a lot, or who has refined tastes in food

Usage notes

The French and English usages of this word are false friends. While the English word has evolved to emphasize the excesses of a gourmand, the French word has become more associated with refined tastes in food. See also gourmet, which has considerable overlap with this word.

Descendants

• ? Czech: gurmán
• ? Portuguese: gourmand
• ? Romanian: gurmand

Further reading

• “gourmand” in Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).

Norman

Etymology

From Old French, where it had the sense of trencherman, but of uncertain ultimate origin

Adjective

gourmand m

1. (Jersey) greedy

Portuguese

Etymology

From French gourmand.

Pronunciation

• (Brazil) IPA^(key): /?u??m??/

Noun

gourmand m, f (plural gourmands)

1. gourmand (person who appreciates good food)
2. gourmand (person who eats too much)

   Synonym: comilão

Further reading

• “gourmand” in Dicionário Priberam da Língua Portuguesa.

English

Etymology

From Epicurean (“follower of Epicureanism”).

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /??p.?.kj????i?.n?/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /??p.?.kj???i.n?/, /??p.??kj?.?i.n?/
• Rhymes: -i??n
• Hyphenation: ep?i?cu?re?an

Adjective

epicurean (comparative more epicurean, superlative most epicurean)

1. Pursuing pleasure, especially in reference to food or comfort.
2. Devoted to luxurious living.

Synonyms

• gluttonous
• hedonistic
• libertine

Noun

epicurean (plural epicureans)

1. One who is devoted to pleasure.

Usage notes

Modern accepted use of the terms epicurean and Epicureanism refers often to the appreciation of, and indulgence in good food (gourmet), luxury, hedonism, and sensual pleasure. This strays significantly from the original philosophic intent of Epicureanism. The philosophy indeed elevated pleasure and happiness as the most worthy pursuit, but specifically warned against fine food and frequent sex, for it could lead to dissatisfaction later. Instead, the goal was a long-term pleasure, marked by serenity and temperance, achieved through moderation rather than indulging. Modern senses of gourmet, luxury, hedonism, sensual pleasure and lust are mostly in contrast with the original ancient teachings.

Synonyms

• glutton
• hedonist
• See also Thesaurus:sensualist