A substantial late-afternoon or early evening meal, most commonly consisting of an array of cold dishes such as pies, pasties, buns, sandwiches, crumpets, with biscuits, cakes, pastries and pots of tea. Differentiated from other 'teas' by the service of meat.
Known at least since Fanny Kemble's 'Record of a girlhood' of 1878; "We did not return home till near nine, and so, instead of dinner, all sat down to high tea." (OED)