ETYM Old Eng. mes, Old Fren. mets, Late Lat. missum, p. p. of mittere to put, place (e.g., on the table), Latin mittere to send. Related to Mission, Mass religious service.
(Irregular plural: messes).
1. A state of confusion and disorderliness; SYN. messiness, muss, mussiness.
2. A (large) military dining room where service personnel eat or relax; SYN. mess hall.
3. A meal eaten by service personnel.
4. Soft semiliquid food.

1. To make a mess of or create disorder in; SYN. mess up.
2. To eat in a mess hall, in the military.