context

(noun): The surroundings, circumstances, environment, background or settings that determine, specify, or clarify the meaning of an event or other occurrence.
(noun): The text in which a word or passage appears and which helps ascertain its meaning.
(noun): The surroundings and environment in which an artifact is found and which may provide important clues about the artifact's function and/or cultural meaning.
(noun): The trama or flesh of a mushroom.
(noun): For a formula: a finite set of variables, which set contains all the free variables in the given formula.
(verb): To knit or bind together; to unite closely.
(adjective): Knit or woven together; close; firm.

In what context did your attack on him happen? - We had a pretty tense relationship at the time, and when he insulted me I snapped.
Without any context, I can't tell you if the "dish" refers to the food, or the thing you eat it on.