meal set before one; prepared meal
A meal that has been prepared and placed in front of someone, often implying that no effort is required from the recipient. Frequently used in the set phrase 据え膳食わぬは男の恥.
When we arrived at the inn, a meal was already set out for us.
women's advances; sexual invitation
Figurative extension from the literal meal sense, referring to a woman's romantic or sexual advances that are presented openly, as if served on a tray. Often used in the context of the proverb 据え膳食わぬは男の恥 (it's a man's shame to refuse a woman's advances).
He didn't notice her advances.
Standard kanji spelling.
Variant spelling without okurigana.
Compound of 据え (setting, placing) + 膳 (tray, meal). The figurative sense derives from the idea of a meal being served without effort, applied to romantic advances.