victuals
victuals — noun
1. supplies of food and drink, especially those gathered or stored for a journey, a
supplies of food and drink, especially those gathered or stored for a journey, a group of people, or a long period — like the canned goods and dried ingredients packed for a camping trip or kept in a ship's pantry.
The hikers packed enough <hw>victuals</hw> to last six days on the mountain trail.
pattern: enough victuals to last [time]
Before the long winter, the villagers stored their <hw>victuals</hw> in the root cellar.
Ingrid loaded the wagon with <hw>victuals</hw> and blankets for the refugee camp.
The old inn served simple <hw>victuals</hw> — bread, cheese, and ale — to weary travellers.
Without fresh <hw>victuals</hw>, the crew grew weak during the long voyage.
- provisions
the modern equivalent for food supplies, especially for a journey; less archaic than victuals
- supplies
broader term that includes non-food items; victuals refers specifically to food and drink
- rations
a measured or limited portion of food, often for soldiers or groups under restriction
- fare
refers to the type of food available, especially at a restaurant or event; more culinary than victuals
- famine
extreme scarcity of food, the opposite of having ample victuals
文法句型
[verb] + victuals
enough victuals
supply of victuals
用法筆記
Now considered old-fashioned or literary; in modern English, 'food', 'provisions', or 'supplies' are preferred in everyday speech. Often used in historical fiction or for humorous effect.
常見錯誤
victuals — verb
- victualspresent simple I / you / we / they
- victualses3rd person singular
- victualsing-ing form
- victualsedpast simple
1. to supply a person, group, or place with food and drink, especially in preparati
to supply a person, group, or place with food and drink, especially in preparation for a journey or a significant undertaking — for instance, stocking a fortress before a siege or a kitchen before a feast.
The expedition leader hired two porters to <hw>victual</hw> the base camp for the winter.
pattern: victual + [place] + for + [event]
Amara spent the whole morning <hw>victualling</hw> the kitchen ahead of the family reunion.
collocation: victual the kitchen
The castle was well <hw>victualled</hw> before the blockade began.
Teenage volunteers helped <hw>victual</hw> the emergency shelter after the flood.
Dmitri <hw>victualled</hw> his boat with rice, dried fish, and fresh water before setting sail.
文法句型
victual + [someone/something]
用法筆記
Frequently used in the passive voice (be victualled) or in historical/military contexts. The present participle 'victualling' follows British doubling of 'l'; American English uses 'victualing' with one 'l'.
常見錯誤
2. to obtain and store a supply of food and drink, typically in preparation for a f
to obtain and store a supply of food and drink, typically in preparation for a future need such as a journey, winter, or shortage — for example, buying extra canned goods before a storm.
The crew <hw>victualled</hw> for the long voyage across the Atlantic.
pattern: victual for + [event]
Hassan <hw>victualled</hw> up before the snow closed the mountain pass.
phrasal: victual up
The farmers <hw>victualled</hw> themselves with dried meat and grain for the winter.
Mei-Lin <hw>victualled</hw> herself for the caravan journey with enough dates and water for a month.
The Okonkwo family had <hw>victualled</hw> poorly and ran out of food halfway through the hike.
- stock up
the everyday modern equivalent; can apply to any goods, not just food
- provision oneself
a slightly formal alternative that avoids the archaic feel of victual
- lay in
similar in register to victual — old-fashioned; 'lay in supplies'
文法句型
victual + (up) for + [event]
victual oneself for + [event]
用法筆記
Unlike sense 2/1 (PROVIDE FOOD), this sense is intransitive or reflexive — the focus is on obtaining food for oneself, not supplying others. The phrasal form 'victual up' is attested but extremely rare.
常見錯誤
❌ 'We victualled the ship.' (when meaning we stocked up for ourselves) — This is ambiguous; use 'We victualled ourselves for the voyage' for clarity.
3. to eat a meal or take in sustenance — an archaic sense used today mainly in hist
to eat a meal or take in sustenance — an archaic sense used today mainly in historical fiction, humorous imitation of old speech, or with deliberate literary effect.
The knights <hw>victualled</hw> heartily after the long day of battle.
pattern: victual + adverb (heartily)
"Let us <hw>victual</hw> before the sun sets," said the old innkeeper.
archaic register: 'let us victual'
Wei paused to <hw>victual</hw> on bread and cheese before continuing the climb.
The sailors <hw>victualled</hw> in shifts so the ship was never left unmanned.
Clara <hw>victualled</hw> alone in the corner, too tired to speak after the funeral.
- fast
to abstain from food, the opposite of eating
文法句型
[subject] + victual
用法筆記
This is the rarest sense of victual. Modern English uses 'eat', 'have a meal', or 'dine' instead. It never takes an object — you victual (intransitive), but you do NOT victual something in this sense.