An hors d'oeuvre (/ɔːrˈdɜːrv, ˈdɜːrvrᵊ/; French:hors d'œuvre[ɔʁ dœvʁ]), 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, or in the bedroom, as a part of the meal or they may be served before seating. Formerly, hors d'oeuvres were also served between courses.