I. ˈtē noun
( -s )
Etymology: Chinese (Amoy) t'e; akin to Chinese (Pekingese) ch'a 2 tea
1.
a. : a shrub ( Camellia sinensis ) cultivated from antiquity in China and now in Japan, India, Ceylon, Sumatra, Java, and other countries and having lanceolate leaves and fragrant white flowers
b. : the leaves, leaf buds, and internodes of this plant prepared and cured for the market by several recognized methods, classed according to method of manufacture (as green, black, or oolong) and graded according to leaf size (as congou, orange pekoe, pekoe, souchong) — see gunpowder tea , hyson
c. : an aromatic beverage that is prepared from cured tea leaves by infusion with boiling water, has mild stimulant and tonic properties due to the alkaloid caffeine, and is capable of being strongly astringent from the presence of tannin
2.
a.
(1) : any of numerous plants somewhat resembling tea in appearance or properties
(2) : an infusion prepared from their leaves and used medicinally or as a beverage — used usually with qualifying adjective or attributive; see abyssinian tea , breast tea , labrador tea , sage tea
b. : tea rose
c. slang : marijuana
3.
a. : light refreshments usually including tea with bread and butter sandwiches, crackers, cookies, served in late afternoon
b. : a formal social occasion (as a reception) at which tea and other refreshments are served
c. Britain : a light late afternoon or evening meal : supper
4. : a grayish yellow green to pale green that is lighter than Surrey green
5. chiefly Britain : something or someone that suits one's taste or preference
an odd pair, I shouldn't have thought she was at all his tea
— compare cup of tea
II. adjective
1. : of or relating to tea or the tea plant
tea plantation
2. : dealing in tea
tea merchant
3. : used for or in connection with tea
tea urn
III. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
intransitive verb
: to drink tea or take a light meal
transitive verb
: to entertain with a tea