pre-luncheonn.adj.
/ˌpriːˈlʌn(t)ʃ(ə)n/, U.S. /priˈlən(t)ʃ(ə)n/ A. n.
A light midday meal just before lunch. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > meal > [noun] > brunch or pre-lunch
pre-luncheon1873
brunch1895
bruncheon1912
1873 C. M. Yonge Pillars of House II. xvi. 110 A pre-luncheon or nooning of cake and wine within an hour of the meal of the day.
1969 Tri City Herald (Pasco, Washington) 3 Oct. 19 (advt.) A congenial atmosphere prevails for a pre-luncheon, dinner or simply an evening of relaxation with cocktails.
B. adj.
Held or occurring before lunch.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > day and night > day or daytime > morning > [adjective]
earlyOE
rathea1425
matutinalc1450
matutinec1450
morning1535
antemeridian1592
betimely1594
grey-eyed1597
matins1643
ante-jentacular1796
matinal1803
matutinary1858
pre-luncheon1909
1909 Oakland (Calif.) Tribune 27 Oct. 12/1 The pre-luncheon affair to be at Freeman's Park.
1940 P. G. Wodehouse Eggs, Beans & Crumpets (facing title page) For here it is that young gallants of Mayfair forgather for the pre-luncheon bracer and to touch lightly on the topics of the day.
1981 J. Sullivan Only Fools & Horses (1999) I. 1st Ser. Christmas Special 61 I thought I'd see you down the Nag for a pre-luncheon aperitif and some light conversation with your little head bangers.
2001 Spectator (Nexis) 1 Dec. 66 Parsnip crisps..are perfectly acceptable with preluncheon drinks.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.adj.1873