◙ noun, [mass noun] 1. a hot drink made by infusing the dried, crushed leaves of the tea plant in boiling water, and usually adding a small amount of milk • （常加少量奶的）热茶 the dried leaves used to make such a drink • 茶叶 [usu. with modifier] a similar drink made from the infused leaves, fruits, or flowers of other plants • …（花，果）茶 »herbal tea. 药草茶。 »[count noun] fruit teas. 果茶。 [W. Indian] any hot drink, for example, coffee or cocoa • [西印度] （咖啡、可可等）热饮 2. (也作 tea plant)the evergreen shrub or small tree which produces these leaves, native to South and East Asia and grown as a major cash crop • 茶树 3. Camellia sinensis, family Theaceae • 拉丁名Camellia sinensis，山茶科 4. (chiefly Brit.)a light afternoon meal consisting typically of tea to drink, sandwiches, and cakes • [主英] （带有茶点的）下午茶 [Brit.] a cooked evening meal • [英] 傍晚茶。 参见high tea [W. Indian] breakfast, typically consisting of a hot drink and bread • [西印度] （尤指带有热饮、面包的）早点 ◙ (teaed 或 tea'd ) 1. [no obj., with adverbial] (archaic)drink tea or take afternoon tea • [古] 喝茶；吃下午茶 »I teaed with Professor Herron. 我与赫伦教授一道喝茶。 [with obj.] give tea to (someone) • 供茶给… »I breakfast, tea, and sup my lodgers. 我为房客提供早餐、午茶和晚餐。
【IDIOMS】
◘ not for all the tea in China 1. [informal] there is nothing at all that could induce one to do something • [非正式] 无论如何都不 ◘ tea and sympathy 1. [informal] kind and attentive behaviour towards someone who is upset or in trouble • [非正式] 安慰与同情
【语源】
1. mid 17th cent.: probably via Malay from Chinese [Min dialect] te; related to Mandarin chá. --› comparechar