Added 10 October 2026
tay
/teɪ/ symbol
symbol Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about tay at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
Origin
Spelling form indicating original pronunciation of tea. The digraph ea represented /ɛː/ in Early Modern English; it later merged chiefly with ee, but regionally or sporadically with ay (in standard English break, great, steak). Compare the song Polly put the kettle on, where tea rhymes with away.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)