deli
n. countablen. a shop that sells high-quality foods that are already cooked or prepared, like cold meats, cheeses, and salads. It is a short way of saying 'delicatessen'.
n. an establishment that sells high-quality, prepared foods such as cured meats, artisanal cheeses, and gourmet salads. A clipped form of 'delicatessen', it carries a more casual register while retaining the same semantic scope.
I bought some fresh ham and cheese at the local deli.
We stopped at the deli on the corner to pick up some sandwiches and olives for our picnic.
The neighborhood deli has survived for decades by offering a curated selection of imported meats that cannot be found in larger supermarket chains.
Attested since 1954. Clipping of delicatessen, from German Delikatessen, plural of Delikatesse (“delicacy, fine food”), from French délicatesse, derived from the adjective délicat, from Latin delicatus.
Often used as a modifier in compound nouns like 'deli meat' or 'deli sandwich'.