tea-service
Definition
Noun: A set of matching cups, saucers, plates, a teapot, and often a milk jug and sugar bowl, used for serving tea. It is a collective term for the complete ensemble of vessels and utensils designed for the formal or informal presentation of tea.
Usage Examples
- (A matching set of tea-related dishes.)
- (A complete set of teaware for serving tea.)
- (A set of cups, saucers, and a teapot.)
Advanced Usage
- "Tea-service" is often used to refer to a coordinated set, typically made of porcelain, bone china, or silver. It implies a formal or ceremonial context, though it can be used for everyday sets as well.
- The museum displayed a Victorian tea-service in a glass case. (A historical set of teaware.)
Variants and Related Words
- Tea set (n): A more common equivalent of "tea-service," referring to the same collection of items.
- The tea set included six cups and a matching teapot. (A set of tea-drinking vessels.)
- Tea tray (n): A flat, handled surface used to carry a tea-service.
- She brought the tea tray with the tea-service into the living room. (A serving tray for the set.)
- Tea cosy (n): A padded cover for a teapot to keep tea warm.
- The tea cosy matched the floral pattern of the tea-service. (A cover for the teapot in the set.)
Synonyms
- Teaware (n): A general term for cups, teapots, and other items used for tea.
- The shop sells fine teaware, including complete tea-services. (Items for tea drinking.)
- Tea set (n): The most direct synonym, interchangeable with "tea-service" in most contexts.
- The porcelain tea set was a wedding gift. (A matching set of teaware.)
Related Idioms
- "Not my cup of tea": Something that is not to one's liking or preference.
- Formal dinner parties are not my cup of tea, but I admire the tea-service. (A phrase unrelated to the literal tea-service, used for personal taste.)
- "Storm in a teacup": A great deal of fuss over a trivial matter.
- The argument over the broken tea-service was a storm in a teacup. (An exaggerated reaction over a minor issue.)