adj. 1. Considerable in importance, value, degree, amount, or extent: made a substantial improvement; won by a substantial margin. 2. Solidly built; strong: substantial houses. 3. Ample; sustaining: a substantial breakfast. 4. Possessing wealth or property; well-to-do. 5. a. Of, relating to, or having substance; material. b. True or real; not imaginary. 6. Achieving the goal of justice itself, not merely the procedure or form that is a means to justice: principles of substantial justice. [Middle English substancial, from Old French substantiel, from Latin substantiālis, from substantia, substance; see SUBSTANCE.] sub·stan′ti·ali·ty (-shē-ălĭ-tē), sub·stantial·ness (-shəl-nĭs) n. sub·stantial·ly adv. |
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