the dried and prepared leaves of a shrub, Camellia sinensis, from which a somewhat bitter, aromatic beverage is prepared by infusion in hot water.
the shrub itself, extensively cultivated in China, Japan, India, etc., and having fragrant white flowers.Compare tea family.
the beverage so prepared, served hot or iced.
any kind of leaves, flowers, etc., so used, or any plant yielding them.
any of various infusions prepared from the leaves, flowers, etc., of other plants, and used as beverages or medicines.
beef bouillon.
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.
an afternoon reception at which tea is served.
Slang. marijuana.
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Idioms for tea
one's cup of tea, something suitable, appropriate, or attractive to one: Horror movies and westerns are just not my cup of tea.
Origin of tea
First recorded in 1590–1600; 1940–45 for def. 9; from dialectal Chinese (Xiamen) t'e, akin to Chinese chá
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I happen to like watching Doctor Who, but if that’s not your cup of tea, that’s fine with me.
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For all its economic and diplomatic might, though, China has its vulnerabilities — even with tea.
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More recently, though, China has decided to upscale its tea outreach.
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His team claimed he had ingested poison, probably through some tea he had drunk.
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Senseless bureaucracy is part of what spawned the Tea Party.
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So it was ironic a couple of months later when the Tea Partiers were railing against it—it had already expired.
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Some imagine Senator Elizabeth Warren as the charismatic leader of a progressive version of the “tea party.”
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At the hospital, I was told to wait, and was given some tea by a nurse.
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Finally, he says, “Would you like a cup of tea or something?”
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The apology for tea was brought, and both accepted it, talking of trivialities.
Scarlet and Hyssop|E. F. Benson
When we went to tea or dinner with these people Jimmie and I had to be dragged along like dogs who are muzzled for the first time.
Abroad with the Jimmies|Lilian Bell
Mrs. Peterkin frugally suggested that they might now keep it for the next day, as to-day was almost gone, and they had had tea.
The Peterkin Papers|Lucretia P. Hale
Hyson tea and Souchong mixed together, half and half, is a pleasant beverage, and is more healthy than green tea alone.
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He poured out his tea and sat down in a chair opposite to her, and close to her.
The Woman With The Fan|Robert Hichens
British Dictionary definitions for tea
tea
/ (tiː) /
noun
an evergreen shrub or small tree, Camellia sinensis, of tropical and subtropical Asia, having toothed leathery leaves and white fragrant flowers: family Theaceae
the dried shredded leaves of this shrub, used to make a beverage by infusion in boiling water
such a beverage, served hot or iced
(as modifier)tea caddy; tea urn
any of various plants that are similar to Camellia sinensis or are used to make a tealike beverage
any such beverage
mainlyBritish
Also called: afternoon teaa light meal eaten in mid-afternoon, usually consisting of tea and cakes, biscuits, or sandwiches
(as modifier)a tea party
Also called: high teaafternoon tea that also includes a light cooked dish
British, Australian and NZthe main evening meal
US and Canadianold-fashioned, slangmarijuana
tea and sympathyinformala caring attitude, esp to someone in trouble
Word Origin for tea
C17: from Chinese (Amoy) t'e, from Ancient Chinese d`a