tease

== English == === Alternative forms === teaze (dated) teize, tieze (obsolete) === Etymology === From Middle English tesen, from Old English tǣsan (“to tease”), from Proto-West Germanic *taisijan (“to separate, tug, shred”). === Pronunciation === enPR: tēz, IPA(key): /tiːz/ Homophones: teas, tees Rhymes: -iːz === Verb === tease (third-person singular simple present teases, present participle teasing, simple past and past participle teased) (transitive) To separate the fibres of (a fibrous material). (transitive) To comb (originally with teasels) so that the fibres all lie in one direction. (transitive) To backcomb. (transitive) To poke fun at, either cruelly or affectionately in a playful way. Synonyms: razz, chaff (transitive) To provoke or disturb; to annoy. Synonym: ride (transitive) To manipulate or influence the behavior of, especially by repeated acts of irritation. (transitive) To entice, tempt. (transitive) To deliberately arouse someone sexually with no intention of satisfying that arousal. (transitive, informal) To show as forthcoming, in the manner of a teaser. ==== Usage notes ==== Tease, in the sense of "make fun of, tweak" can refer to cruel statements but also affectionate or harmless ones, which may be taken in good humour by the recipient. By contrast, taunt only refers to cruel statements, as does mock unless qualified (e.g. gently mock). ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Noun === tease (plural teases) One who teases. A single act of teasing. One who deliberately arouses others (usually men) sexually with no intention of satisfying that arousal. Synonyms: cock tease, cocktease, cockteaser, prickteaser ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Anagrams === Seeta, setae, setæ