Tease

Quick meaning: Tease is a verb meaning (transitive) To separate the fibres of (a fibrous material).

Meaning

(transitive) To separate the fibres of (a fibrous material).

More Meanings

1. (transitive) To comb (originally with teasels) so that the fibres all lie in one direction.
2. (transitive) To backcomb.
3. (transitive) To poke fun at, either cruelly or affectionately in a playful way.
4. (transitive) To provoke or disturb; to annoy.
5. (transitive) To manipulate or influence the behavior of, especially by repeated acts of irritation.
6. (transitive) To entice, tempt.
7. (transitive) To deliberately arouse someone sexually with no intention of satisfying that arousal.

Example Sentences

Not by the force of carnal reason, / But indefatigable teasing.

He[…]suffered them to tease him into acts directly opposed to his strongest inclinations.

I am myself, the sweetest temper'd man alive, and hate a teasing temper; and so I tell her a hundred Times a day—

[H]ere comes my Helpmate!—She appears in great good humour——how happy I should be if I could teaze her into loving me tho' but a little——

Word Forms

• teases
• teasing
• teased
• teaze

Synonyms for tease

Depending on context, synonyms include razz, chaff, ride, cocktease, cockteaser, prickteaser.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include flirt, loosen, beleaguer, rag, harass, pester.

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