[f. COMMENSAL: cf. F. commensalité.] Commensal state; the habit of eating at the same table.
1611. Cotgr., Commensalité, Commensalitie; a continuall feeding together at one table.
1650. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep. (ed. 2), 142. Being enjoined or prohibited certain foods … to avoid community with the Gentiles upon promiscuous commensality.
1825. New Monthly Mag., XVI. 326. ‘Eating together,’ as Dr. Johnson would say, ‘promotes good will, Sir, commensality is benevolent.’
1881. R. N. Cust, in Mission Life, No. 137. 201. Modified Caste, limited … to Rules of Intermarriage and Commensality.
