What is a dish served before meal?

Here are some other terms that are sometimes used:

* Hors d'oeuvres: This term is usually used for small, bite-sized appetizers served before a formal dinner.

* First course: This term is sometimes used interchangeably with "appetizer," especially in a more formal setting.

* Entrée: This term can be confusing because it means "main course" in some parts of the world, but in French cuisine, it refers to the first course.

The purpose of an appetizer is to stimulate the appetite and prepare the palate for the main meal. They are often small and light, but can also be more substantial, depending on the occasion and the culture.