TEA

noun Etymology: Chinese (Xiamen) dé Date: circa 1655 1. a shrub ( Camellia sinensis of the family Theaceae, the ~ family) cultivated especially in China, Japan, and the East Indies, the leaves, leaf buds, and internodes of the ~ plant prepared and cured for the market, classed according to method of manufacture into one set of types (as green ~, black ~, or oolong), and graded according to leaf size into another (as orange pekoe, pekoe, or souchong), an aromatic beverage prepared from ~ leaves by infusion with boiling water, 3. any of various plants somewhat resembling ~ in properties, ~ rose , 4. refreshments usually including ~ with sandwiches, crackers, or cookies served in late afternoon, a reception, snack, or meal at which ~ is served, marijuana , ~like adjective