a. (sb.) Obs. [a. F. friand dainty; according to Hatz.-Darm. an alteration of friant, pa. pple. of frire, the primary sense being qui grille (dimpatience).] A. adj. Dainty; delicious to the palate; fond of delicate food. B. sb. A person of dainty taste in food, an epicure.
1598. Florio, Leccardo, a glutton, a friand, a gurmand.
1599. A. Hume, Hymns (1832), 11. The little friand fish in flude, and dentie volatil.
1603. Florio, Montaigne, III. xiii. (1632), 622. I am very friand and gluttonous of fish; and keepe my shroving dayes upon fish dayes; and my feats upon fasting-dayes.
1792. Bentham, Wks. (183843), X. 276. The good family wanted something friand for a side dish.
1818. T. Moore, Fudge Family, 22.
After dreaming some hours of the land of Cocaigne, | |
That Elysium of all that is friand and nice, | |
Where for hail they have bon-bons, and claret for rain, | |
And the skaiters in winter show off on cream-ice. |