tea
tea / tē/ • n. 1. a hot drink made by infusing the dried, crushed leaves of the tea plant in boiling water. ∎ the dried leaves used to make such a drink. ∎ (also iced tea) such a drink served cold with ice cubes. ∎ a hot drink made from the infused leaves, fruits, or flowers of other plants: herbal tea | fruit teas. 2. (also tea plant) the evergreen shrub or small tree (Camellia sinensis, family Theaceae) that produces these leaves, native to South and eastern Asia and grown as a major cash crop. 3. chiefly Brit. a light afternoon meal consisting typically of tea to drink, sandwiches, and cakes. ∎ Brit. a cooked evening meal.See also high tea. 4. inf. another term for marijuana. PHRASES: not for all the tea in China inf. there is nothing at all that could induce one to do something: I wouldn't do that girl's job—not for all the tea in China.tea and sympathy inf. kind and attentive behavior toward someone who is upset or in trouble.ORIGIN: mid 17th cent.: probably via Malay from Chinese (Min dialect) te.