What is a five-course menu?

A five course menu is as following...

Appetizer course

soup course

Salad course

main (meat) course

Desert

Also a "course" that can be added is the apertif. While not strictly considered a "course", it is the "after dinner" drink that evolved into the cocktail party.

This menu is standard for a formal dinner party, which should last at least an hour to an hour and a half. Seeing that this menu is rather long, it is no wonder that the Victorian dinner party was a major event.

The appetizer course is NOT eaten as finger food, it is a "nibble" of a meat or vegetable dish that is served on it's own plate. It is enjoying a resurgence in fine dining.