An hors d'oeuvre (/ɔːr ˈdɜːrv, ˈdɜːrvrə/; French: hors d'œuvre, ( listen)), appetizer, or starter is a small dish served before a meal. Some hors d'oeuvres are served cold, others hot. Hors d'oeuvres may be served at the dinner table as a part of the meal, or they may be served before seating.