elevenses
[ ih-lev-uhn-ziz ]
/ ɪˈlɛv ən zɪz /
Save This Word!
noun (usually used with a plural verb)British.
a midmorning break for refreshments: They paused for tea and muffins at elevenses.
the refreshments taken; a midmorning snack: Elevenses were not ready to be served.
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON PARENTHESES AND BRACKETS APLENTY!
Set some time apart to test your bracket symbol knowledge, and see if you can keep your parentheses, squares, curlies, and angles all straight!
Question 1 of 7
Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?
First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.
First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.
First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT Origin of elevenses
First recorded in 1840–65; originally dialect; doubly pluralized form of eleven, perhaps as ellipsis of eleven hours (eleven o'clock)
Words nearby elevenses
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
British Dictionary definitions for elevenses
elevenses
/ (ɪˈlɛvənzɪz) /
pl n
(sometimes functioning as singular) British informal a light snack, usually with tea or coffee, taken mid-morning
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012