The Meaning Of Tiffin Throughout The Ages Tiffin (ti.fin), noun. First used in 1785. In India and neighboring eastern countries. A light midday meal; luncheon. Hence Ti.ffin, intransitive verb, to take tiffin, to lunch. - adapted from The Oxford Universal English Dictionary, 1937 Tiffin (tif'fin), - noun. 1. An upscale Maryland Indian restaurant where mouth wateringly fragrant dishes uplift the heart and soul of all who choose to eat there. 2. A delicately spiced meal served at the Tiffin. - intransitive verb.