[tiː], (Noun)

Definitions:
- a hot drink made by infusing the dried crushed leaves of the tea plant in boiling water
(e.g: Catherine sipped her tea)

- the evergreen shrub or small tree which produces tea leaves, native to southern and eastern Asia and grown as a major cash crop

- a light afternoon meal consisting typically of tea to drink, sandwiches, and cakes
(e.g: they were about to take afternoon tea)

- secret information or rumours of a scandalous nature; gossip
(e.g: the star spilled the tea on her younger sister's romantic life)


Phrases:
- not for all the tea in China
- tea and sympathy

Origin:
mid 17th century: probably via Malay from Chinese (Min) te; related to Mandarin chá. Compare with char

[tiː], (Verb)

Definitions:
- drink tea or take afternoon tea
(e.g: I teaed with Professor Herron)


Phrases:
- not for all the tea in China
- tea and sympathy

Origin:
mid 17th century: probably via Malay from Chinese (Min) te; related to Mandarin chá. Compare with char