cater

cater
cater verb.
There are two typical constructions, with for (which is more usual), and with to (perhaps influenced by pander, and more common in AmE). There is no real distinction in meaning between the two, except that use of to with a personal object seems less natural, at least in BrE:

• The following suggested items can be obtained from shops which cater for local Chinese communities —China Now, 1978

• Gingerbread caters for all categories of single parents —Times, 1980

• He feels cheated because society does not cater to his irrational wishes —Bruno Bettelheim, 1960

I saw the town of Mystic,…today a town largely catering to tourists and day trippers from New York–weblog, AusE 2004 [OEC].


Modern English usage. 2014.

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Synonyms:

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Cater 2 U — Single par Destiny s Child extrait de l’album Destiny Fulfilled Sortie 19 juillet 2005 (12 pouces) 25 juillet 2005 (CD) 9 août 2005(Australie) …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Cater 2 U — «Cater 2 U» Сингл Destiny s Child Выпущен 19 июля 2005r. (12 ) 25 июля 2005r. (CD) …   Википедия

  • Cater — is a surname, and may refer to:*Monte Cater Head Coach, Shepherd College Rams *Danny Cater (born 1940), Major League Baseball player *Jack Cater (1922 2006), Chief Secretary of Hong Kong *John Cater (born 1932), English actor *Mojca Cater (born… …   Wikipedia

  • cater — vb Cater, purvey, pander are comparable when they mean to furnish with what satisfies the appetite or desires. Cater basically implies the provision of what is needed in the way of food and drink {he that doth the ravens feed, yea, providently… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • cater — ► VERB chiefly Brit. 1) (cater for) provide food and drink at (a social event). 2) (cater for/to) provide with what is needed or required. 3) (cater for) take into account. 4) (cater to) satisfy (a need or demand) …   English terms dictionary

  • Cater — Ca ter, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Catered}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Catering}.] [From {Cater}, n.] 1. To provide food; to buy, procure, or prepare provisions. [1913 Webster] [He] providently caters for the sparrow. Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. By extension: To… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • cater — UK US /ˈkeɪtər/ verb [I or T] ► to provide the food and drinks at an event, for an organization, etc.: »Delegates can have meals catered by the hotel while the conference is underway. cater for sth »There is plenty of work to be had catering for… …   Financial and business terms

  • cater — [kāt′ər] vi. [< obs. cater, buyer < ME catour, aphetic for achatour < OFr < achater, to buy, provide < VL * accaptare < L ad , to + captare, to strive, intens. of capere, to take hold: see HAVE] 1. to provide food; serve as a… …   English World dictionary

  • Cater — Ca ter, n. [OE. catour purchaser, caterer, OF. acator, fr. acater, F. acheter, to buy, provide, fr. LL. accaptare; L. ad + captare to strive, to seize, intens, of capere to take, seize. Cf. {Acater}, {Capacious}.] A provider; a purveyor; a… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Cater — Ca ter, n. [F. quatre four.] The four of cards or dice. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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