relish

Etymology

Alteration of reles (“scent, taste, aftertaste”), from Old French relais, reles (“something remaining, that which is left behind”), from relaisser (“to leave behind”).

noun

1. A pleasant taste.
2. Enjoyment; pleasure.
3. A quality or characteristic tinge.
4. (followed by "for") A taste (for); liking (of); fondness.
   I have a relish for moderate praise, because it bids fair to be judicious. 1785, William Cowper, letter to the Rev. John Newton (dated December 10, 1785)
   Jews and Israel are not synonymous; nor is support for Palestine synonymous with anti-Semitism; nor is questioning the orthodoxy of the Republican party, which the majority of us do with relish, an insult to Jewry. 2019-7-17, Talia Lavin, “When Non-Jews Wield Anti-Semitism as Political Shield”, in GQ
5. A cooked or pickled sauce, usually made with vegetables or fruits, generally used as a condiment.
   Congressmen gleefully wolfed down every imaginable version of the hot dog – smoked kielbasas, jumbo grillers, Big & Juicy's, kosher dogs and spiced dogs – topped with every imaginable condiment – hot mustard, sweet mustard, jalapenos, spaghetti sauce, regular relish, corn relish, maple syrup salsa and the secret sauce of Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Ga.). ("If I told you the recipe," an aide explained, "I'd have to shoot you.") 21 July 1994, Faye Fiore, “Congress relishes another franking privilege: Meat lobby puts on the dog with exclusive luncheon for lawmakers – experts on pork”, in Los Angeles Times
6. In a wooden frame, the projection or shoulder at the side of, or around, a tenon, on a tenoned piece.
7. Something that is greatly liked or savoured.

verb

1. (transitive) To taste or eat with pleasure, to like the flavor of
2. (transitive) To take great pleasure in.
   He relishes their time together.
   I don't relish the idea of going out tonight.
   He knows how to prize his advantages, and to relish the honours which he enjoys. 1706, Francis Atterbury, A sermon preached at the Guild-Hall Chapel, September 28, 1706
   “Nurses are not relishing this,” she said. “We are acting with a very heavy heart. It has been a difficult decision taken by hundreds of thousands who begin to remove their labour from tomorrow in a bid to be heard, recognised and valued. […] 2022-12-15, Pat Cullen, quotee, “Tens of thousands of UK nurses go on strike in first such industrial action in NHS history”, in The Guardian
3. (obsolete, intransitive) To taste; to have a specified taste or flavour.
   A theory, which, how much soever it may relish of wit and invention, hath no foundation in nature. 1695, John Woodward, An essay toward a natural history of the earth
4. (transitive) To give a taste to; to cause to taste nice, to make appetizing.
5. (obsolete, intransitive) To give pleasure.