elevenses
Definition
- Noun:
- Elevenses refers to a light snack or refreshment taken around eleven o'clock in the morning, typically consisting of tea, coffee, biscuits, or other small foods. It is a informal, primarily British term for a mid-morning break.
Usage Examples
- (A light snack around 11 a.m.)
- (A pause for refreshment in the late morning.)
Advanced Usage
"to have elevenses": to partake in a mid-morning snack.
- In many British households, it's traditional to have elevenses with a hot drink. (To follow the custom of a late morning snack.)
"elevenses time": the period around 11 a.m. when this snack is eaten.
- The children are always hungry at elevenses time. (The time of day for a mid-morning snack.)
Variants and Related Words
- Elevenses (n, singular form): the same as the plural; no separate singular variant exists.
- She packed a small bag of nuts for elevenses. (A single instance of the snack.)
Synonyms
- Mid-morning snack: a light meal eaten between breakfast and lunch.
- Coffee break: a pause in work for coffee or tea, often around 11 a.m.
- Brunch: a heavier meal combining breakfast and lunch, usually later in the morning.
Related Idioms
- "Elevenses" is itself a specific idiom for a cultural practice; no common idioms derive from it directly.
- "Elevenses" is a charming British custom that dates back to the Victorian era. (A cultural tradition.)
Notes
- The word is always used in the plural form (elevenses) and is considered a singular noun (e.g., "elevenses is served").
- It is primarily used in British English and is less common in American English, where "coffee break" or "mid-morning snack" is preferred.