a. (adv.) and sb. Forms: 4–8 substancial, (4 -ciel, 5 -cyel, 5–6 -aunc-, -ciall(e, -cyall(e, 5–7 -tiall), 6– substantial. [ad. late L. substantiālis (f. substantia SUBSTANCE), whence also F. substantiel (from 13th c.), Pr. substancial, Sp. su(b)stancial, It. sostanziale, sustanziale.] A. adj.
1. That is, or exists as, a substance; having a real existence; subsisting by itself.
1387–8. T. Usk, Test. Love, II. xiii. (Skeat), l. 47. Naturel goodnesse of every substaunce is nothing els than his substancial being.
1488. Caxton, Chast. Goddes Chyld., 47. Eche thynge that is noo body if it be substancyall it is callid a spiryte.
1651. Hobbes, Leviathan, III. xxxiv. 211. Some such apparitions [sc. Dæmons] may be reall, and substantiall; that is to say, subtile Bodies, which God can form by the same power, by which he formed all things.
a. 1652. J. Smith, Sel. Disc., iv. (1821), 71. This hypothesis, that no substantial and indivisible thing ever perisheth.
1678. Cudworth, Intell. Syst., Pref. 4. The general ranks of substantiall beings below the Deity.
1817. Coleridge, Biog. Lit., xii. (1907), I. 169. The want of substantial reality in the objects of the senses, according to the sceptics.
absol. 1838. [F. Haywood], trans. Kant’s Crit. Pure Reason, 327. That which … might yet seem to be an idea of transcendental reason, would be the conception of the substantial.
1856. Ferrier, Inst. Metaph., XVI. (ed. 2), 328. There is a substantial in cognition; in other words, substance, or the substantial, is knowable, and is known by us. Ibid., XVII. xvi. 348. The substantial in cognition (τὸ ὄν).
2. Philos. Of, pertaining or relating to, or inherent in substance (esp. as opposed to accident); that is substance. Also transf. and allusively.
1387–8. T. Usk, Test. Love, II. vii. (Skeat), l. 147. Thilke thinges that we clepe power is but accident to the flesshly body; and so they may not have that suretee in might, whiche wanteth in the substancial body.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 153. How to ye actyue lyfe perteyneth accidentall ioye, but to the contemplatyue the substanciall crowne of glory.
1580. Blundevil, Horsemanship, IV. iv. 3. Sickness … is knowne … by inseparable or substantiall accidents, as by the shape, number, qualitie, & site of the part, or member diseased.
1581. Fulke, in Confer., III. (1584), U iv. But bread is substance: Therefore he gaue them pieces of substance, or substantial pieces.
1642. Denham, Sophy, V. 1. If happiness be a substantial good, Not fram’d of accidents, nor subject to ’em.
1664. H. More, Apology, 498. Calvin seems to be affraid of the opinion of the Body being Spiritual, as implying a Substantial change.
3. Substantial form [see FORM sb. 4 a: med.L. substantialis forma (Joannes Scotus Erigena), Gr. οὐσιῶδες εἶδος (Philoponus Arist. Categ.)]: the nature or distinctive character in virtue of possessing which a thing is what it (specifically or individually) is.
1413. [see FORM sb. 4 a].
1477. Norton, Ord. Alch., v. in Ashm. (1652), 63. Coagulation is noe forme substantiall.
1666. Boyle, Orig. Formes & Qual., 45. Some Engines, which … devoid of Substantial Forms, must do those strange things they are admir’d for, by vertue of those Accidents, the Shape, Size, Motion, and Contrivance of their parts.
1697. trans. Burgersdicius’ Logic, I. xvi. 56. Form is divided into Substantial and Accidental…. The Substantial Form of a Musician, as he is a Man, is the Rational Soul; Accidental as he is a Musician, Musick.
1707. Curios. in Husb. & Gard., 343. Salts … he regarded as the Substantial Form of Bodies.
1728. Chambers, Cycl., s.v., Substantial Forms, i. e. Forms independant of all Matter; or Forms that are Substances themselves.
1741. Watts, Improv. Mind, II. v. (1801), 214. A student who … imagines certain immaterial beings, called substantial forms, to inhabit every herb, flower [&c.].
1775. J. Harris, Philos. Arrangements, xvi. 387. note.
4. Relating to or proceeding from the essence of a thing; essential. Now rare or Obs.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Sel. Wks., II. 285. Crist … was of þe same kynde þat is ech man his broþer, and þis liknesse is in substancial kynde.
1509. Hawes, Past. Pleas., XVIII. (Percy Soc.), 83. Your heart is your by substancyall lyne, It is not in my domynacyon.
1551. T. Wilson, Logic (1580), 14. If he can learne firste to see the verie Nature, and, substanciall propertie of euery thyng.
a. 1653. H. Binning, Princ. Chr. Relig., Wks. (1735), 30/2. Christ may be called the Truth indeed, the substantial Word of God, for he is the very Substance of the written and preached Word.
1667. Milton, P. L., IV. 485. To give thee being I lent Out of my side to thee, neerest my heart Substantial Life.
1782. Priestley, Corrupt. Chr., I. I. 127. Joachim … denied that there was any essence, or any thing that belonged in common to the three persons, by which their substantial union was taken away, and nothing but a numerical or moral union was left.
5. That is, constitutes or involves an essential part, point or feature; essential, material.
Now said chiefly of immaterial things and often blending with 8, 9 or 14.
1432–50. trans. Higden (Rolls), VII. 399. A decrete was made that the substantiall partes of that rule scholde be kepede, and oþer thynges as superfluous to be refusede.
1467. in Engl. Gilds (1870), 385. It myght be ordeined a substancialle rule, that v. pagentes … to be holden yerly, shuld not be to seche.
1528. More, Dyaloge, I. Wks. 174/1. That yt church can not erre in any such substauncyall article as God wyll haue vs bounden to beleue.
1541. R. Copland, Guydon’s Quest. Cyrurg., G j. Be the addicions abouesayd other bones than the bone of ye sholdre?… No,… but are substancyall party of it.
1567–9. Jewel, Def. Apol. (1611), 327. The Substantiallest points of all your Doctrine.
1588. Kyd, Househ. Phil., Wks. (1901), 269. Those compasses … which, though they be diuers according to the variety of Countreys, is (notwithstanding) no occasion of substantiall difference.
1647. Clarendon, Hist. Reb., I. § 20. The common misfortune of Princes, that in so substantial a part of their Happyness … Themselves had never any part.
1686. Goad, Celest. Bodies, II. viii. 273. I would not have it destitute of a Limme that is substantial, or one of its vital Parts.
1729. W. Law, Serious C., 52. Most of the employments of life are … lawful; and all those that are so, may be made a substantial part of our duty to God.
1818. Cruise, Digest (ed. 2), II. 188. He could not find any substantial distinction between that case, and the principal one.
1867. Ruskin, Time & Tide, viii. § 35. Under … Divine guidance, securing them from substantial error.
b. Law. Belonging to or involving essential right, or the merits of a matter.
[1838. W. Bell, Dict. Law Scot., Substantialia, those parts of a deed which are essential to its validity as a formal instrument.]
1843–56. Bouvier, Law Dict., s.v. Form, If the matter pleaded be in itself insufficient, without reference to the manner of pleading it, the defect is substantial.
1883. Wharton’s Law Lex. (ed. 7), 739/1. The judge will consider what is the substantial fact to be made out, and on whom it lies to make it out.
1897. Bouvier’s Law Dict., s.v. Right to begin,… The party who asserts the affirmative of an issue has the right to begin and reply, as on him is the burden of proof. The substantial affirmative, not the verbal, gives the right.
6. Of food, a meal: Affording ample or abundant nourishment. (In later use the notion of solidity or quantity is predominant.)
1340. Ayenb. (1866), 113. Þe more þet he [sc. food] is norissinde, me zayþ þet he is þe substancieler.
a. 1380. S. Paula, 60, in Horstm., Altengl. Leg. (1878), 4. Cumforte þi brayn beter wiþ sum bred And wiþ sum substancial mete.
1578. Chr. Prayers, in Priv. Prayers (1851), 451. We be able to brook substantialer meat, because we be grown to further years of discretion.
1626. Speed, Adam out of Eden, v. (1659), 38. Clovergrass … renders abundance of very exquisite hay, very great substantial and much desired.
1634. W. Tirwhyt, trans. Balzac’s Lett. (vol. I.), 115. Whilest others fill themselves with substantiall and most ponderous cates.
a. 1774. Tucker, Lt. Nat. (1834), II. 653. We say roast beef is good substantial food, but water-gruel not.
1822–7. Good, Study Med. (1829), I. 210. One substantial meal of solid animal food daily.
1825. T. Hook, Sayings, Ser. II. Passion & Princ., vii. III. 117. A good, substantial, hot luncheon.
1827. Scott, Chron. Canongate, iv. With something rather more substantial than bread and butter.
1902. Violet Jacob, Sheep-Stealers, xiv. Breakfast at nine, a substantial dinner at three, supper at eight.
7. Of structures, etc.: Of solid material or workmanship.
1390. Gower, Conf., III. 92. Erthe … Which … in his forme is schape round, Substancial, strong, sadd and sound.
c. 1412. Hoccleve, De Reg. Princ., 5116. They made ware of a ribbe,… Which more strong is, and substancial, Þan slyme of eerthe.
1463. Bury Wills (Camden), 39. A substanciall and a sqwar dore of free stoon.
1512. Act 4 Hen. VIII., c. 1 § 3. Goode and substanciall bulwarkes … in every landyng place.
1551. Robinson, trans. More’s Utopia, II. ii. (1895), 128. A brydge … with gorgious and substanciall archeis.
1624. Capt. J. Smith, Virginia, v. 189. Then they built no more Cabbens, but substantiall houses.
1662. Gerbier, Principles, 19. Well-riveted Windowes, with substantiall Locks, Bolts, and Hinges.
1667. Milton, P. L., IV. 189. Some rich Burgher, whose substantial dores, Cross-barrd and bolted fast, fear no assault.
1707. Mortimer, Husb. (1721), I. 374. Country Houses ought to be substantial, and able to encounter all the shocks the Wind.
1845. Disraeli, Sybil (1863), 129. Behind the substantial counter, which was an impregnable fortification.
1858. Hawthorne, Fr. & It. Note-Bks., II. 47. The clouds … looking quite as substantial as the distant mountains.
1861. Parker, Introd. Gothic Archit. (ed. 2), iv. 103. Early Norman masonry is in general so massive and substantial that it is difficult to destroy all traces of it.
1879. Stainer, Mus. Bible, 5. Whose roof was never more substantial than a tent.
Comb. 1897. ‘A. Hope,’ Phroso, iv. 73. He held a very substantial-looking whip in his hand.
† 8. Of persons, their constitution, etc.: Sturdy, strong, burly. Obs.
c. 1400. Beryn, 2518. Natur was more substancial, when tho dayis were. Then nowe.
1533. Elyot, Cast. Helthe (1539), 52 b. [Vociferation] maketh the members of the body substancial and stronge.
1578. Whetstone, 2nd Pt. Promos & Cass., IV. i. (heading), Gresco, a good substantiall Offycer.
1602. in Moryson Itin. (1617), II. 250. Men broken, and not substantiall in war.
1657. Billingsly, Brachy-Martyrol., xiv. 48. Tormentors, pray procure Substantialler than these; these are too small.
9. Of ample or considerable amount, quantity or dimensions.
1454. Rolls of Parlt., V. 254/2. That substantiall provision be made in all hast.
1539. Tonstall, Serm. Palm Sund. (1823), 81. Yf a manne wolde offre a greatte substantiall suretie.
c. 1550. Rolland, Crt. Venus, II. 515. He thocht the price was ouir substanciall.
1616. in Fortescue Papers (Camden), 17. Although you are not capable (through your fulnes) of any substantiall addition from me.
1690. C. Nesse, Hist. & Myst. O. & N. Test., I. 138. The wealth of a man is … reckoned … by the substantial bills and bonds, &c. he is able to produce.
1728. Morgan, Algiers, II. v. 319. Often … one finds good substantial Leagues dwindling into even Liliputian Furlongs.
1780. T. Jefferson, Corresp., Wks. 1859, I. 274. Were it possible to arm men, we would send on substantial reinforcements to you.
1897. Mary Kingsley, W. Africa, 335. One of us at least would … have made something substantial by the venture.
1908. Outlook, 8 Aug., 178/2. These two substantial volumes.
10. Based upon a solid substratum; firmly or solidly established; not easily disturbed or damaged; of solid worth or value; weighty, sound.
a. of statement, discourse, writing.
c. 1430. Lydg., Min. Poems (E.E.T.S.), I. 41. With Crystis worde substancial in sentence.
1468. Engl. Misc. (Surtees Soc.), 19. By substanciall wrytyng undre sealez.
1547. Boorde, Brev. Health, in Introd. Knowl. (1870), 96. In great matters aske substancial counsell.
1576. Fleming, Panopl. Epist., 151. My letters cannot make you such substanciall assuraunce, of my desire touching your safetie, as it is in deede.
a. 1591. R. Greenham, Wks. (1599), 56. The Lord … vrgeth him with substantiall questions.
1602. in Moryson Itin. (1617), II. 238. We have not heard any such substantiall intelligence.
1691. Wood, Ath. Oxon., II. 607. His … practical, spiritual, substantial preaching.
1710. Addison, Tatler, No. 158, ¶ 1. This he looks upon to be sound learning, and substantial criticism.
1742. in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., App. I. 277. Few words but substantial ones you will like best I suppose.
1863. Geo. Eliot, Romola, xxxiv. His mind glanced round … to see how far those words could have the force of a substantial threat.
1873. Earle, Philol. Engl. Tongue (ed. 2), § 66. This division is substantial and useful.
b. of reasons, causes, evidence.
c. 1513. More, Rich. III., Wks. 50/1. For that I se some men so gredye withowte any substaunciall cause.
1528. in Pocock, Rec. Ref. (1870), I. li. 121. Very good matter and substantial why the said matrimony should be dissolved.
1590. Shaks., Com. Err., II. ii. 105. Your reason was not substantiall.
a. 1687. Petty, Pol. Arith., v. (1691), 88. Although there be not naturally substantial reasons … why there should be such differences.
1845. M. Pattison, Ess. (1889), I. 19. No more substantial evidence being producible against the bishop, the synod broke up.
1846. Grote, Greece (1862), II. xvi. 394. In itself a substantial testimony.
1866. Baring-Gould, Cur. Myths Mid. Ages, Ser. I. i. 23. How wanting they are in all substantial evidence which could make us regard the story in any other light than myth.
c. of actions, conditions, results, ideas.
1565. Allen, Defence Purg., xvii. 282. Do yow not see here a trim faith and a substantiall?
1592. Nashe, P. Penilesse, Wks. 1904, I. 164. Now trust me, a substantiall trade.
1622. Drayton, Poly-olb., XXIV. 240. The Christian Faith, for whose substantiall planting, Saint Augustine from Rome was to this Island sent.
1624. Capt. J. Smith, Virginia, III. xii. 94. Ten good workemen would haue done more substantiall worke in a day, then ten of them in a weeke.
1696. Tate & Brady, Ps. cxix. 165. Secure, substantial Peace have they.
1749. Smollett, Regic., V. i. Life with substantial ills enough is cursed.
1753. Richardson, Grandison, V. xliii. 278. She has substantial notions still left, I find, of ideal Love.
1784. Cowper, Task, III. 300. Foolish man … quits … Substantial happiness for transient joy.
1812. Coleridge, Friend (1818), III. 60. Where he deems his interference warranted by substantial experience.
1814. Miss Mitford, in L’Estrange, Life (1870), I. viii. 256. The substantial comforts of a good coal fire.
1824. L. Murray, Engl. Gram. (ed. 5), I. 543. The substantial enjoyments … which result from piety and virtue.
1867. Ruskin, Time & Tide, ii. § 7. To … complete his home gradually with more delicate and substantial comforts.
† 11. Of acts, measures, etc.: Having weight, force or effect; effective, thorough. Obs.
1461. Cov. Leet Bk., 314. The good & substanciall rule and guydyng that ye kepe theryn. Ibid. (1485), 523. Thobseruyng … such sad direccions and substanciall ordinaunces.
1523. Act 14 & 15 Hen. VIII., c. 3 § 1. The true and substanciall makyng of the said clothes.
1547. in Sir J. Williams, Accompte (Abbotsf. Cl.), 4. That a substanciall Survey vue and true accompte … shalbe taken.
1550. Crowley, Way to Wealth, 30. The most substanciall waye in curinge diseases is by puttinge awaye the causes.
1551. in Strype, Eccl. Mem. (1721), II. II. iv. 272. That substantial Order be taken forthwith for the pulling down all Altars.
1683. Moxon, Mech. Exerc., Printing, xxiv. ¶ 19. There is no substantial remedying this fault, but by making a new Head.
12. Possessing ‘substance,’ property or wealth; well-to-do, wealthy; hence, of weight or influence.
c. 1450. Brut, 479. They ordeyned .iiij. enquestes within the Cite, of substantiall peple.
1461. Paston Lett., II. 27. Any substancyall gentylman.
a. 1548. Hall, Chron., Hen. VI., 169 b. The Maire … assembled a great numbre of substanciall and grave citizens.
1593. Nashe, Christ’s T., 37. All which were of the Nobles, Gentlemen, and substantialest men of the Iewes.
1642. Pr. Rupert his Declar., 4. The Knights, Aldermen, and substantiall Citizens of London.
1714. Fortescue-Aland, Pref. Fortescue’s Abs. & Lim. Mon., 10. A Jury of twelve upright and substantial Men, is by the Law, to be summon’d.
1771. Smollett, Humphry Cl. (1815), 104. The substantial tradesman, who was wont to pass his evenings at the alehouse for fourpence halfpenny, now spends three shillings at the tavern.
1823. Scott, Peveril, viii. Her father is a substantial yeoman.
1833. Ht. Martineau, Brooke Farm, viii. 94. In former times,… the proprietor or occupier of thirty or forty acres was thought a substantial farmer.
1883. S. C. Hall, Retrospect, II. 276. Among our few fellow-passengers … was a substantial Scottish grazier.
† b. absol. with the: Persons of influence. Obs.
1568. Grafton, Chron., II. 33. The Maior of London, and the substanciall of the Citie toke counsaile together.
13. Of real worth, reliability or repute; of good standing or status.
c. 1449. Pecock, Repr., I. xvi. 85. Substancial clerkis weel leerned in logik.
1562. Turner, Herbal, II. (1568), 72. Theophrast so ancient and substantiall autor.
1588. Greene, Pandosto (1843), 45. That he might go like an honest substantiall man to tell his tale.
a. 1687. Petty, Pol. Arith. (1690), 74. Another Book written by a substantial Author.
1814. W. Wilson, Hist. Dissent. Ch., IV. 310. Mr. Sheffield was a sound and substantial scholar.
1837. Carlyle, Fr. Rev., I. I. i. Dismissal of his last substantial man.
1863. Froude, Short Studies (1867), I. 228. Till it be so agreed the substantial intellect of the country will not throw itself into the question.
14. Having a corporeal form; consisting of solid matter; corporeal, material. Obs. or rare.
1589. [? Lyly], Pappe w. Hatchet (1844), 36. I came so neere, that I could feele a substantiall knaue from a sprites shadowe.
1603. Shaks., Meas. for M., III. ii. 290. To draw with ydle Spiders strings Most ponderous and substantiall things.
1653. H. More, Conject. Cabbal. (1713), 184. He means no substantialler a Being by Matter than what may well be called Metaphysical.
1818. Scott, Br. Lamm., xxiii. Neither was there pressure of the grass, nor any other circumstance, to induce him to believe that what he had seen was real and substantial.
15. Having substance; not imaginary, unreal or apparent only; true, solid, real.
1592. Shaks., Rom. & Jul., II. ii. 141. All this is but a dreame, Too flattering sweet to be substantiall.
1726–31. Tindal, Rapin’s Hist. Eng. (1743), II. XVII. 115. Not only by words … but by very substantial deeds.
1781. Gibbon, Decl. & F., xvii. II. 23. The manly pride of the Romans, content with substantial power, had left to the vanity of the east the forms and ceremonies of ostentatious greatness.
1781. Cowper, Hope, 154. Hope sets the stamp of vanity on all That men have deem’d substantial since the fall.
1798. S. & Ht. Lee, Canterb. T., II. 15. His substantial wealth vanished, but the shadow still remained.
1862. Sir B. Brodie, Psychol. Inq., II. i. 27. We should … not be led away from that which is real and substantial by the pursuit of the shadowy and fantastic.
16. Belonging to the component substance or matter of a thing.
1671. N. Grew. Anat. Pl., I. iii. (1682), 13. In all such Roots, the Pith is … of the same substantial nature.
1718. Prior, Solomon, I. 497. Now shine these Planets with substantial Rays?
b. Pertaining to the substance or tissue of the body or a part or organ.
1611. [see SUBSTANCE 23].
1620. Venner, Via Recta, viii. 189. The radicall or substantiall moysture of the body. Ibid., 192. By reason of much resolution of the nutrimentall and substantiall moisture through the pores.
1875. [see SUBSTANTIVE a. 8].
1889. Buck’s Handbk. Med. Sci., VIII. 120. Transition from substantial to membranous parietes.
† 17. That is really such; thorough, real. Obs.
1663. S. Patrick, Parab. Pilgr., xx. (1687), 207. I mean … that it must appear to the World, that you are a substantial Christian by all the acts of an Holy Life.
a. 1694. Tillotson, Serm., liii. (1742), IV. 497. To become wise and peaceable and substantial Christians.
18. That is such in the main; real or true for the most part.
1771. Junius Lett., xliv. (1788), 256. I should be contented to renounce the forms of the constitution…, if there were no other way to obtain substantial justice for the people.
1790. Paley, Horæ Paul., i. 8. It establishes the substantial truth of the narration.
1841. Myers, Cath. Th., III. § 24. I. 63. The question … here is not concerning the substantial Divinity of the Jewish Scripture.
1852. H. Rogers, Ecl. Faith, 322. They are certain of the substantial accuracy of their impressions.
1855. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., xviii. IV. 150. The Tories … though they could not deny that there had been some hard cases, maintained that, on the whole, substantial justice had been done.
1875. Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), III. 115. He argues rightly for the substantial genuineness of the text.
† B. adv. = SUBSTANTIALLY. Obs.
1502. Arnolde, Chron., 8. Consideryng that hys fee is competent for a substanciall lerned man.
1532. More, Confut. Tindale, Wks. 726/1. That substaunciall wel learned man Lyre.
c. 1560. in Anglia, XIII. 464. In the Latin tongue, and other substancial congrue languages.
C. sb.
1. pl. The things belonging to or constituting the substance; the essential parts or elements; the essentials.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., XVII. ci. (Bodl. MS.). Al þe substancials of þe tree haue sourenes & vertu of bindinge.
1567. Reg. Privy Council Scot., Ser. I. I. 547. Alwayis kepand all the uther substantiallis of the formar seill.
1652. Gaule, Magastrom., 77. Neither doth nature prefer any creature for its adventitials or accidentals, but for its substantials or essentials.
1661. Except. agst. Liturgy, 4. Those who in the substantials of the Protestant Religion are of the same perswasions with our selves.
1681. Stair, Inst. Law Scot., I. xiii. 262. The Clauses which are adjected in Infeftments, not being of the Substantials or Solemnities thereof.
1726. Ayliffe, Parergon, 75. Altho’ a Custom introduc’d against the Substantials of an Appeal be not valid … yet a Custom may be introduc’d against the Accidentals of an Appeal.
1816. J. Scott, Vis. Paris (ed. 5), 181. In the substantials of knowledge and conduct they are below both these.
1845. M. Pattison, Ess. (1889), I. 8. One who is certainly not chargeable with neglect of the substantials of historical science.
1854. Thoreau, Walden (1908), 41. A great proportion of architectural ornaments are literally hollow, and a September gale would strip them off, like borrowed plumes, without injury to the substantials.
1870. Lowell, Among My Books, Ser. I. (1873), 26. Though his judgement in substantials, like that of Johnson, is always worth having.
† b. rarely sing. Obs.
1628. Feltham, Resolves, I. xlvii. 138. All this change, without the losse of any visible substantiall.
2. pl. Substantial or solid things.
a. 1653. Binning, Serm. (1845), 570. All these substantials we let go, that we may get hold of some empty unedifying notions.
1796. Mrs. M. Robinson, Angelina, I. 155. We look sharp after the substantials, and leave the shadows to your end of the town.
1824. Miss Ferrier, Inher., xxviii. Too busy with the substantials of marriage, to have much time to bestow on the empty speculations of love.
3. pl. The substantial or solid parts of a meal.
1751. R. Paltock, P. Wilkins (1884), I. 126. From day to day I found out something new to add to my repast, either in substantials or by way of dessert.
1765. H. Walpole, Lett. to E. of Hertford, 7 April. Instead of substantials, there was nothing but a profusion of plates striped red, green, and yellow, gilt plate, blacks and uniforms!
1865. J. Cameron, Malayan India, 301. Soup and fish generally both precede the substantials…. The substantials are invariably followed by curry and rice.
1886. Miss Braddon, One Thing Needful, v. The substantials were all on a side-table.
