First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1tease
transitive verb \ˈtēz\
: to laugh at and criticize (someone) in a way that is either friendly and playful or cruel and unkind
: to annoy or bother (an animal)
: to make (hair) look fuller or bigger by combing it in a special way
teasedteas·ing
Full Definition of TEASE
1
a : to disentangle and lay parallel by combing or carding <tease wool> b : teasel
2
: to tear in pieces; especially : to shred (a tissue or specimen) for microscopic examination
3
a : to disturb or annoy by persistent irritating or provoking especially in a petty or mischievous way b : to annoy with petty persistent requests : pester; also : to obtain by repeated coaxing c : to persuade to acquiesce especially by persistent small efforts : coax d : to manipulate or influence as if by teasing e : to make fun of : kid
4
: to comb (hair) by taking hold of a strand and pushing the short hairs toward the scalp with the comb
5
: to tantalize especially by arousing desire or curiosity often without intending to satisfy it
— teas·ing·ly \ˈtē-ziŋ-lē\ adverb
See tease defined for kids
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Origin of TEASE
Middle English tesen, from Old English tǣsan; akin to Old High German zeisan to tease
Related to TEASE
Synonym Discussion of TEASE
worry, annoy, harass, harry, plague, pester, tease mean to disturb or irritate by persistent acts. worry implies an incessant goading or attacking that drives one to desperation <pursued a policy of worrying the enemy>. annoy implies disturbing one's composure or peace of mind by intrusion, interference, or petty attacks <you're doing that just to annoy me>. harass implies petty persecutions or burdensome demands that exhaust one's nervous or mental power <harassed on all sides by creditors>. harry may imply heavy oppression or maltreatment <the strikers had been harried by thugs>. plague implies a painful and persistent affliction <plagued all her life by poverty>. pester stresses the repetition of petty attacks <constantly pestered with trivial complaints>. tease suggests an attempt to break down one's resistance or rouse to wrath <children teased the dog>.
2tease
noun
: a person who teases other people; especially : a person who seems to be sexually interested in someone but who is not serious about having sexual relations
: a joking remark that criticizes someone in a friendly way : a teasing remark
Full Definition of TEASE
2
: one that teases
See tease defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of TEASE
1680
TEASING Defined for Kids
1tease
verb \ˈtēz\
teasedteas·ing
Definition of TEASE for Kids
1
: to make fun of <… some kids tease me about my name. — Paula Danziger, Amber Brown>
2
: to annoy again and again <Stop teasing the dog.>
— teas·er noun
2tease
noun
Definition of TEASE for Kids
1
: the act of making fun of or repeatedly bothering a person or animal
2
: a person who makes fun of people usually in a friendly way
Medical Dictionary
tease
transitive verb \ˈtēz\
teasedteas·ing
Medical Definition of TEASE
: to tear in pieces; especially : to shred (a tissue or specimen) for microscopic examination
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