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TEASING
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
The act of removing tangles from you hair with a comb
Synonyms:
comb-out; teasing
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Hypernyms ("teasing" is a kind of...):
comb; combing (the act of drawing a comb through hair)
Derivation:
tease (ruffle (one's hair) by combing the ends towards the scalp, for a full effect)
Sense 2
Meaning:
The act of harassing someone playfully or maliciously (especially by ridicule); provoking someone with persistent annoyances
Example:
his ribbing was gentle but persistent
Synonyms:
ribbing; tantalization; tease; teasing
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Hypernyms ("teasing" is a kind of...):
harassment; molestation (the act of tormenting by continued persistent attacks and criticism)
Derivation:
tease (harass with persistent criticism or carping)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Playful vexation
Example:
the parody was just a form of teasing
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Hypernyms ("teasing" is a kind of...):
caper; frolic; gambol; play; romp (gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement)
II. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Causing irritation or annoyance
Example:
it is vexing to have to admit you are wrong
Synonyms:
annoying; bothersome; galling; irritating; nettlesome; pesky; pestering; pestiferous; plaguey; plaguy; teasing; vexatious; vexing
Classified under:
Similar:
disagreeable (not to your liking)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Arousing sexual desire without intending to satisfy it
Example:
her lazy teasing smile
Classified under:
Similar:
seductive (tending to entice into a desired action or state)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Playfully vexing (especially by ridicule)
Example:
his face wore a somewhat quizzical almost impertinent air
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
playful (full of fun and high spirits)
III. (verb)
Sense 1
-ing form of the verb tease
Context examples:
It was soon generally agreed that Tuesday should be the day; Charles only reserving the advantage of still teasing his wife, by persisting that he would go to the play to-morrow if nobody else would.
(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)
I planned it, and she only gave in after lots of teasing.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
She attracted him more than he liked—and Miss Bingley was uncivil to her, and more teasing than usual to himself.
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
Edmund was too angry to speak; but Miss Crawford, looking for a moment with astonished eyes at Mrs. Norris, and then at Fanny, whose tears were beginning to shew themselves, immediately said, with some keenness, I do not like my situation: this place is too hot for me, and moved away her chair to the opposite side of the table, close to Fanny, saying to her, in a kind, low whisper, as she placed herself, Never mind, my dear Miss Price, this is a cross evening: everybody is cross and teasing, but do not let us mind them; and with pointed attention continued to talk to her and endeavour to raise her spirits, in spite of being out of spirits herself.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
On his approaching them soon afterwards, though without seeming to have any intention of speaking, Miss Lucas defied her friend to mention such a subject to him; which immediately provoking Elizabeth to do it, she turned to him and said: Did you not think, Mr. Darcy, that I expressed myself uncommonly well just now, when I was teasing Colonel Forster to give us a ball at Meryton?
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
Teasing, teasing, man!
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
My good qualities are under your protection, and you are to exaggerate them as much as possible; and, in return, it belongs to me to find occasions for teasing and quarrelling with you as often as may be; and I shall begin directly by asking you what made you so unwilling to come to the point at last.
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
The surprise of the rest of the family, on hearing who their visitor had been, was very great; but they obligingly satisfied it, with the same kind of supposition which had appeased Mrs. Bennet's curiosity; and Elizabeth was spared from much teasing on the subject.
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
