Main Entry: tea

Pronunciation: \ˈtē\

Function: noun

Etymology: Chinese (Xiamen) dé

Date: circa 1655

1 a : a shrub (Camellia sinensis of the family Theaceae, the tea family) cultivated especially 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 a : any of various plants somewhat resembling tea in properties; also : an infusion of their leaves used medicinally or as a beverage b : tea rose
4 a : refreshments usually including tea with sandwiches, crackers, or cookies served in late afternoon b : a reception, snack, or meal at which tea is served
5 slang : marijuana

— tea·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective

[tea illustration]