tea-spoon
Definition
- Noun:
- A small spoon used for stirring tea or coffee: "tea-spoon" refers to a small spoon, typically holding about 5 milliliters, used primarily for stirring beverages like tea or coffee.
- A unit of volume: In cooking and medicine, a "tea-spoon" is a unit of measure equal to approximately 5 milliliters, often abbreviated as "tsp."
Usage Examples
Noun (utensil):
- She placed a tea-spoon beside her teacup. (The small spoon is used for stirring the drink.)
- He stirred his coffee with a silver tea-spoon. (The spoon is specifically designed for hot beverages.)
Noun (measurement):
- Add one tea-spoon of sugar to the mixture. (A unit of volume for cooking.)
- The doctor prescribed two tea-spoons of medicine. (A dosage measurement.)
Advanced Usage
"a tea-spoon of something": used figuratively to mean a small amount.
- Just a tea-spoon of patience would help in this situation. (A tiny amount of patience.)
"level tea-spoon": a precise measurement where the substance is leveled off with a straight edge.
- Use a level tea-spoon of baking powder. (Not heaped; exactly one teaspoonful.)
Variants and Related Words
Tea-spoonful (n): the amount that a tea-spoon can hold.
- Add a tea-spoonful of vanilla extract. (The quantity contained in one tea-spoon.)
Tea-spoon (adj): relating to or measured by a tea-spoon.
- The tea-spoon measurement is common in American recipes. (Used as a modifier.)
Synonyms
- Spoon: a general utensil for eating or serving food.
- Small spoon: a descriptive term for a spoon of similar size.
Related Idioms
"Tea-spoon diplomacy": a humorous term for small, incremental efforts in international relations.
- The negotiations used tea-spoon diplomacy, making tiny concessions. (Gradual, minor steps.)
"Not worth a tea-spoon of salt": an old expression meaning something is of little value.
- His opinion is not worth a tea-spoon of salt. (Of negligible importance.)