Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun plural Tea or coffee taken at midmorning and often accompanied by a snack.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun UK A
snack or that is similar toafternoon tea , but eaten in the late morning.
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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One of the first Swedish words any new visitor learns is fika, which means a coffee break, usually enjoyed with a little cake or pastry, much like the British term elevenses but with no time restriction.
NYT > Home Page By STEPHEN WHITLOCK 2010
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"elevenses" - tea sipped while resting on the garden benches.
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"elevenses" - tea sipped while resting on the garden benches.
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If you are among those who desperately need a coffee break, then go for it at 11 am, as scientists claim a formula they have devised proves that 'elevenses' is the best time to drink your brew.
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They're perfectly edible though and I've been taking one (buttered) to work each day for my elevenses.
Susannah's Journal skittledog 2009
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Food will be served from breakfast, and Mr. Gulliver hopes elevenses, a traditionally British snack taken as a stopgap between breakfast and lunch, will make a comeback, and that the bar will be open late.
Not So Down and Out in London Jemima Sissons 2011
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His wife Angie was at work in London and the great man was on the wagon and in gleaming good form; he had knocked off half the Telegraph crossword already and had brewed the elevenses coffee.
Tears for souvenirs as Best and Stiles memorabilia go up for auction Frank Keating 2010
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They're perfectly edible though and I've been taking one (buttered) to work each day for my elevenses.
skittledog: Ever notice how everything you make just tends to lean a little to the left? skittledog 2009
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Plus, we've always been a grazing, snacking culture – look at our eating opportunities, we have more than anyone else: breakfast, elevenses, lunch, tea, high tea, supper, dinner ...
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A slither of banana and honey breakfast loaf presents a delicious answer to desk-bound elevenses, says Lynn Enright.
chained_bear commented on the word elevenses
"neck muscles; splenius.
P 108–170 'Oh, poor man, his elevenses are up.' this means a person is fading, not long for this world, because the two muscles in the back of the neck stick out like two bones resembling 11."
—Dictionary of Newfoundland English, 163
October 17, 2008
ruzuzu commented on the word elevenses
See additional comments on elevensies.
November 12, 2010