Definition of Tea

1. Noun. A beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water. "Iced tea is a cooling drink"

Generic synonyms: Beverage, Drink, Drinkable, Potable
Terms within: Tea Leaf, Caffein, Caffeine
Specialized synonyms: Cambric Tea, Cuppa, Cupper, Herb Tea, Herbal, Herbal Tea, Ice Tea, Iced Tea, Sun Tea

2. Noun. A light midafternoon meal of tea and sandwiches or cakes. "An Englishman would interrupt a war to have his afternoon tea"

3. Noun. A tropical evergreen shrub or small tree extensively cultivated in e.g. China and Japan and India; source of tea leaves. "Tea has fragrant white flowers"
Exact synonyms: Camellia Sinensis
Terms within: Tea Leaf
Group relationships: Genus Camellia
Generic synonyms: Bush, Shrub

4. Noun. A reception or party at which tea is served. "We met at the Dean's tea for newcomers"
Generic synonyms: Reception

5. Noun. Dried leaves of the tea shrub; used to make tea. "They threw the tea into Boston harbor"
Exact synonyms: Tea Leaf
Generic synonyms: Herb
Specialized synonyms: Tea Bag, Black Tea, Green Tea, Oolong
Group relationships: Camellia Sinensis

Definition of Tea

1. n. The prepared leaves of a shrub, or small tree (Thea, or Camellia, Chinensis). The shrub is a native of China, but has been introduced to some extent into some other countries.

2. v. i. To take or drink tea.

Definition of Tea

1. a beverage made by infusing dried leaves in boiling water [n -S]

Medical Definition of Tea

1. 1. The prepared leaves of a shrub, or small tree (Thea, or Camellia, Chinensis). The shrub is a native of China, but has been introduced to some extent into some other countries. Teas are classed as green or black, according to their colour or appearance, the kinds being distinguished also by various other characteristic differences, as of taste, odour, and the like. The colour, flavor, and quality are dependent upon the treatment which the leaves receive after being gathered. The leaves for green tea are heated, or roasted slightly, in shallow pans over a wood fire, almost immediately after being gathered, after which they are rolled with the hands upon a table, to free them from a portion of their moisture, and to twist them, and are then quickly dried. Those intended for black tea are spread out in the air for some time after being gathered, and then tossed about with the hands until they become soft and flaccid, when they are roasted for a few minutes, and rolled, and having then been exposed to the air for a few hours in a soft and moist state, are finally dried slowly over a charcoal fire. The operation of roasting and rolling is sometimes repeated several times, until the leaves have become of the proper colour. The principal sorts of green tea are Twankay, the poorest kind; Hyson skin, the refuse of Hyson; Hyson, Imperial, and Gunpowder, fine varieties; and Young Hyson, a choice kind made from young leaves gathered early in the spring. Those of black tea are Bohea, the poorest kind; Congou; Oolong; Souchong, one of the finest varieties; and Pekoe, a fine-flavored kind, made chiefly from young spring buds. See Bohea, Congou, Gunpowder tea, under Gunpowder, Hyson, Oolong, and Souchong. "No knowledge of . . . [tea] appears to have reached Europe till after the establishment of intercourse between Portugal and China in 1517. The Portuguese, however, did little towards the introduction of the herb into Europe, and it was not till the Dutch established themselves at Bantam early in 17th century, that these adventurers learned from the Chinese the habit of tea drinking, and brought it to Europe." 2. A decoction or infusion of tea leaves in boiling water; as, tea is a common beverage. 3. Any infusion or decoction, especially when made of the dried leaves of plants; as, sage tea; chamomile tea; catnip tea. 4. The evening meal, at which tea is usually served; supper. Arabian tea, the leaves of Catha edulis; also, the tea plant of China. See Tea plant, above. Tea urn, a vessel generally in the form of an urn or vase, for supplying hot water for steeping, or infusing, tea. Origin: Chin. Tsha, Prov. Chin. Te: cf. F. The. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Tea Pictures

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Lexicographical Neighbors of Tea

tchicking
tchicks
tchotchke
tchotchkes
TCK receptor-tyrosine kinase
TCP
TCP/IP
Tc 120 proteinase
TDP
TDT
TDTH cells
Te
te
te&s species
tea (current term)
tea (current term)
tea-strainer
teaberries
teaberry
teaberry
teaboard
teaboards
teabowl
teabowls
teabox
teaboxes
teacake
teacakes
teacart
teacarts

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