[tea] n [Chin (Xiamen) t'e] (ca. 1655) 1 a: a shrub (Camellia sinensis of the family Theaceae, the tea family) cultivated esp. in China, Japan, and the East Indies b: the leaves, leaf buds, and internodes of the tea plant prepared and cured for the market, classed according to method of manufacture into one set of types (as green tea, black tea, or oolong), and graded according to leaf size into another (as orange pekoe, pekoe, or souchong)
2: an aromatic beverage prepared from tea leaves by infusion with boiling water
3: any of various plants somewhat resembling tea in properties; also: an infusion of their leaves used medicinally or as a beverage
4. a: refreshments usu. including tea with sandwiches, crackers, or cookies served in late afternoon b: a reception at which tea is served
5. slang: marijuana -- tea.like adj