v. & n.
--v.tr. (also absol.)
1. a make fun of (a person or animal) playfully or unkindly or annoyingly. b tempt or allure, esp. sexually, while refusing to satisfy the desire aroused.
2 pick (wool, hair, etc.) into separate fibres.
3 dress (cloth) esp. with teasels.
--n.
1. colloq. a person fond of teasing.
2 an instance of teasing (it was only a tease).
Phrases and idioms:
tease out separate by disentangling.
Derivatives:
teasingly adv.
Etymology: OE t{aelig}san f. WG