Tapas are the name of a wide variety of appetizers, or snacks, in Spanish cuisine. They might be cold (such as aceitunas marinadas, "marinated olives," and tortilla Espanola, "Spanish omelet") or warm (such as gambas al ajillo, "garlic shrimp," and empanadas). The serving of tapas is designed to encourage conversation because people are not so focused upon eating an entire meal that is set before them. The word tapas is derived from the Spanish verb "tapar," which means "to cover." The tapas tradition started when King Alfonso X of Castile recovered from an illness by drinking wine with small dishes between meals. After regaining his health, the king ordered that taverns would not be allowed to serve wine to customers unless it was accompanied by a small snack, or, "tapa."