In one sense the first debate achieved the worst of all worlds: it managed to be technical, even dull, without being substantive or especially honest.2012 October 6, “The first presidential debate: Back in the centre, back in the game”, in The Economist, archived from the original on 08 Mar 2023:
2
Broadly Constituting the substance of content rather than its style, and thus always nontrivial.
Substantive editing is never trivial, whereas some aspects of copyediting are trivial.
substantive changes made by the lawyers
3
Having substance; enduring; solid; firm; substantial.
Once more then, strength and magnitude are qualities which impress the imagination in a powerful and substantive manner;1836 [1829], William Hazlitt, “Definition of wit”, in Literary Remains of the Late William Hazlitt, page 19:
4
Law Applying to essential legal principles and rules of right.
substantive law
So this test, this whole area of substantive due process, is tricky for some of the reasons you say. That’s been a criticism of the doctrine in general and a criticism of the general notion that we can have rights that the Constitution doesn’t specify, precisely because of the kind of inquiry that it invites judges to undertake.2025 October 16, Ross Douthat, quoting Amy Coney Barrett, “Amy Coney Barrett Is Looking Beyond the Trump Era”, in The New York Times, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 20 Oct 2025:
5
Chemistry, Natural sciences, Physical sciencesOf a dye Not needing the use of a mordant to be made fast to that which is being dyed.
6
Depending on itself; independent.
Hee therefore taking into Conſideration, how ſufficient and ſuſstantiue this Land was, to maintaine it ſelfe without any aid (at all) of the foreigner; […]1627 (indicated as 1626), Francis [Bacon], “New Atlantis. A Worke Vnfinished.”, in Sylua Syluarum: Or A Naturall Historie. In Ten Centuries. […], London: […] William Rawley […]; [p]rinted by J[ohn] H[aviland] for William Lee […], →OCLC, page 16:
7
Grammar, Human sciences, Linguistics, Sciences Of or pertaining to a substantive.
8
Government, Military, Politics, WarOf a rank or appointment Actually and legally held, as distinct from an acting, temporary or honorary rank or appointment.
Etymology From Middle English substantif, from Old French substantif.
1
Grammar, Human sciences, Linguistics, SciencesAbbreviation, Ellipsis Ellipsis of noun substantive or substantive noun, a noun or a group of words (a noun phrase) that act as a noun (in a sentence).
The Dutch verb beelden and substantive beelding signify form-giving, creation, and by extension image—as do gestalten and Gestaltung in German, where Neo-Plastic[ism] is translated as Die neue Gestaltung.1986, Harry Holtzman, Martin S[amuel] James, “The New Plastic in Painting (1917)”, in The New Art—The New Life: The Collected Writings of Piet Mondrian, Boston, Mass.: G. K. Hall & Co., →ISBN, part I (The De Stijl Years: 1917–24), page 27:
2
Part of a text that carries the meaning, such as words and their ordering.
Etymology From Middle English substantif, from Old French substantif.
1
Grammar, Human sciences, Linguistics, SciencesRare To make a word belonging to another part of speech into a substantive (that is, a noun) or use it as a noun.