tea

[ tee ]

noun

1. the dried and prepared leaves of a shrub, Camellia sinensis, from which a somewhat bitter, aromatic beverage is prepared by infusion in hot water.
2. the shrub itself, extensively cultivated in China, Japan, India, etc., and having fragrant white flowers. Compare tea family.
3. the beverage so prepared, served hot or iced.
4. any kind of leaves, flowers, etc., so used, or any plant yielding them.
5. any of various infusions prepared from the leaves, flowers, etc., of other plants, and used as beverages or medicines.
6. beef bouillon.
7. British. any meal, whether a light snack or one consisting of several courses, eaten in the late afternoon or in the evening; any meal other than dinner, eaten after the middle of the afternoon.
8. an afternoon reception at which tea is served.
9. Slang. marijuana.
10. Slang. interesting or confidential information; gossip; news:

    I hear you were talking to Sandy yesterday—what’s the tea?

tea

/ tiː /

noun

1. an evergreen shrub or small tree, Camellia sinensis, of tropical and subtropical Asia, having toothed leathery leaves and white fragrant flowers: family Theaceae
2. 1. the dried shredded leaves of this shrub, used to make a beverage by infusion in boiling water
   2. such a beverage, served hot or iced
   3. ( as modifier )

      tea urn

      tea caddy

3. 1. any of various plants that are similar to Camellia sinensis or are used to make a tealike beverage
   2. any such beverage
4. 1. Also calledafternoon tea a light meal eaten in mid-afternoon, usually consisting of tea and cakes, biscuits, or sandwiches
   2. ( as modifier )

      a tea party

   3. Also calledhigh tea afternoon tea that also includes a light cooked dish
5. the main evening meal
6. old-fashioned.
   marijuana
7. tea and sympathy informal.
   tea and sympathy a caring attitude, esp to someone in trouble

Other Words From

• tea·less adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tea¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; 1940–45 tea fordef 9; from dialectal Chinese (Xiamen) t'e, akin to Chinese chá

Word History and Origins

Origin of tea¹

C17: from Chinese (Amoy) t'e, from Ancient Chinese d`a

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. one's cup of tea, something suitable, appropriate, or attractive to one:

   Horror movies and westerns are just not my cup of tea.

2. spill the tea, Slang. to reveal interesting or confidential information; share gossip:

   In this exclusive clip, the famous actor spills the tea on who gets offered the best roles first.

More idioms and phrases containing tea

see cup of tea ; not for all the tea in china ; tempest in a teapot .

Example Sentences

The smell of grilled meat mixes with the exotic wafts of cinnamon tea served with a mush of sweet brown dessert.

From The Daily Beast

A year before he had similarly arrived with news of the Boston Tea Party.

From The Daily Beast

Senseless bureaucracy is part of what spawned the Tea Party.

From The Daily Beast

“I happened upon yak butter tea, a traditional high-energy food eaten by Tibetans,” Asprey says.

From The Daily Beast

Adults prepare food and drink dark sweet tea on the doorsteps of their homes as they watch their children playing.

From The Daily Beast

Being quieted by the Captain with a draught of cold tea, and made to sit down, the examination of the book proceeded.

From Project Gutenberg

Afterwards we saw you once or twice at tea at the Ritz, and you took off your hat, so you must have remembered then.

From Project Gutenberg

Janet might have said before leaving: "Tea had better not wait too long--Hilda has to be down at Clayhanger's at half-past six."

From Project Gutenberg

The tea was all laid on tables in the garden, and the sausages were cooking over a fire made on the grounds.

From Project Gutenberg

A trim maid then brought in the tea equipage, and Georgie did the honours with her usual unaffected grace.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• gossip
• poop