n. 1 the edible part of any grain or pulse (usu. other than wheat) ground to powder. 2 Sc. oatmeal. 3 US maize flour. 4 any powdery substance made by grinding. meal-beetle an insect, Tenebrio molitor, infesting granaries etc. meal-worm the larva of the meal-beetle.
[ OE melu f. Gmc ]