undermeal Meaning, Definition & Usage

Un"der*meal` noun

Etymology

AS. under under + ml part or portion; cf. AS. underml midday. See Under, Meal a part, and cf. Undern.

Definitions

1. The inferior, or after, part of the day; the afternoon. Obs. or Prov. Eng.

   In undermeals and in mornings. Chaucer.

2. Hence, something occurring or done in the afternoon; esp., an afternoon meal; supper; also, an afternoon nap; a siesta. Obs. or Prov. Eng.

   Another great supper, or undermeal, was made ready for them, coming home from ditching and plowing. Withals (1608).

   I think I am furnished with Cattern [Catharine] pears for one undermeal. B. Jonson.

   In a narrower limit than the forty years' undermeal of the seven sleepers. Nash.