tiffin

¹

[ tif-in ]

noun

1. a light midday meal; lunch

verb (used without object)

1. to eat a light midday meal.

verb (used with object)

1. to provide a light meal for; serve lunch to.

Tiffin

²

[ tif-in ]

noun

1. a city in N Ohio.

tiffin

/ ˈtɪfɪn /

noun

1. (in India) a light meal, esp one taken at midday

Word History and Origins

Origin of tiffin¹

First recorded in 1800–05; variant of tiffing (unattested), equivalent to tiff (obsolete) “to sip, drink, snack between meals” + -ing ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of tiffin¹

C18: probably from obsolete tiffing, from tiff to sip

Example Sentences

The source of the latest breakthrough technique is Priyanka Naik’s new book, “The Modern Tiffin.”

From Washington Post

He informed her, some time after, of an engagement "to tiffin with a brother officer," and she nodded.

From Project Gutenberg

In my journey from Tiffin I found it necessary to dismount several times and walk in order to drive away the sensation of cold.

From Project Gutenberg

The accommodations at the Tiffin House I must leave to conjecture, as any description would fall short of the reality.

From Project Gutenberg

There brokers of all kinds used to meet each other, have tiffin, and write their letters and contracts.

From Project Gutenberg

Here we were met by a number of the officials of the province, who gave us a sumptuous tiffin in the rest-house.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• light meal