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meal

1. Grain (especially. Maize, rye, or oats) that is coarsely ground and unbolted; also, a kind of flour made from beans, pease, etc.; sometimes, any flour, esp. If coarse.

2. Any substance that is coarsely pulverized like meal, but not granulated. Meal beetle, the larva of a beetle (tenebrio molitor) which infests granaries, bakehouses, etc, and is very injurious to flour and meal.

Origin: OE. Mele, AS. Melu, melo; akin to D. Meel, G. Mehl, OHG. Melo, Icel. Mjol, SW. Mjol, Dan. Meel, also to D. Malen to grind, G. Mahlen, OHG, OS, & Goth. Malan, Icel. Mala, W. Malu, L. Molere, Gr. Mill, and E. Mill. Cf. Mill, Mold soil, Mole an animal, Immolate, Molar.

The portion of food taken at a particular time for the satisfaction of appetite; the quantity usually taken at one time with the purpose of satisfying hunger; a repast; the ac or time of eating a meal; as, the traveler has not eaten a good meal for a week; there was silence during the meal. What strange fish Hath made his meal on thee ? (Shak)

Origin: OE. Mel; akin to E. Meal a part, and to D. Maal time, meal, G. Mal time, mahl meal, Icel. Mal measure, time, meal, Goth. Ml time, and to E. Measure. See Measure.