DINNER, the chief meal of the day, eaten either in the middle of the day or in the evening. The word "dine" comes through Fr. from Med. Lat. disnare, for dis je junare, to break one's fast (je junium) ; it is, therefore, the same word as Fr. de jeuner, to breakfast, in modern France, to take the midday meal, diner being used for the later repast.