substantial

substantial, a. (adv.) and n.
  (səbˈstænʃəl)
  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] tr. 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 is knowable, and is known by us. Ibid. xvii. xvi. 348 The substantial in cognition (το 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. (Skt.) I. 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 y⊇ 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 n. 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 n. 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 tr. 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. 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. a. 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 tr. 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 y{supt} church can not erre in any such substauncyall article as God wyll haue vs bounden to beleue. 1541 Copland Guydon's Quest. Cyrurg. G j, Be the addicions abouesayd other bones than the bone of y⊇ 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 tr. 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. viii. III. 117 A good, substantial, hot luncheon. 1827 Scott Chron. Canongate iv, With something rather more substantial than bread and butter. 1902 V. 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 tr. 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 of 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. (1905) 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 N. Billingsley Brachy-Martyrol. xiv. 48 Tormentors, pray procure Substantialler than these; these are too small.

  9. Of ample or considerable amount, quantity, or dimensions. More recently also in a somewhat weakened sense, esp. ‘fairly large’.

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.T. 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 Jefferson Corresp. Wks. 1859 I. 274 Were it possible to arm men, we would send on substantial reinforcements to you. 1897 M. 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. 1957 W. S. Churchill Hist. Eng.-Speaking Peoples III. 218 A substantial section of the population, which included the most prominent if not always the most powerful of French citizens, were largely exempt from taxation. 1976 Sunday Times 30 May 24/4 (Advt.), It is mandatory that candidates have experience of..the control and motivation of a substantial work force.

  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. Minor P. (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 Shakes. 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 Regicide 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. 1485 Ibid. 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 forth⁓with 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. a. 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 J. 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 Humph. 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 H. 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. 331 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. Diss. 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 Shakes. 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 Shakes. 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. a. 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. 81 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. n.
  1. a. 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 Bks. Ser. i. (1873) 26 Though his judgement in substantials, like that of Johnson, is always worth having.

  † b. rarely sing. Obs.

1628 Feltham Resolves ii. 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 M. Robinson Angelina I. 155 We look sharp after the substantials, and leave the shadows to your end of the town. 1824 S. E. 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 Let. to E. of Hertford 7 Apr., 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 M. E. Braddon One Thing Needful v, The substantials were all on a side-table.

Oxford English Dictionary