From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Cater \Ca"ter\, n. [OE. catour purchaser, caterer, OF. acator,
fr. acater, F. acheter, to buy, provide, fr. LL. accaptare;
L. ad + captare to strive, to seize, intens, of capere to
take, seize. Cf. Acater, Capacious.]
A provider; a purveyor; a caterer. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Cater \Ca"ter\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Catered; p. pr. & vb. n.
Catering.] [From Cater, n.]
1. To provide food; to buy, procure, or prepare provisions.
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[He] providently caters for the sparrow. --Shak.
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2. By extension: To supply what is needed or desired, at
theatrical or musical entertainments; -- followed by for
or to.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Cater \Ca"ter\, n. [F. quatre four.]
The four of cards or dice.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Cater \Ca"ter\, v. t.
To cut diagonally. [Obs.] --Halliwell.
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From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
cater
v 1: give what is desired or needed, especially support, food or
sustenance; "The hostess provided lunch for all the guests"
[syn: provide, supply, ply, cater]
2: supply food ready to eat; for parties and banquets