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Added 9 October 2026

tease

/tiːz/ noun

In Latin: vexō Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about tease at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Someone given to teasing (as by mocking or stirring curiosity).
A seductive woman who uses her sex appeal to exploit men.
The act of harassing someone playfully or maliciously (especially by ridicule); provoking someone with persistent annoyances.
he ignored their teases

verb

Annoy persistently.
The children teased the boy because of his stammer
Harass with persistent criticism or carping.
The children teased the new teacher
To arouse hope, desire, or curiosity without satisfying them.
The advertisement is intended to tease the customers

Origin

From Middle English tesen, from Old English tǣsan (“to tease”), from Proto-West Germanic *taisijan (“to separate, tug, shred”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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