Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A perforated ball, usually of silver, in which tea-leaves are placed to he immersed in boiling water, in preparing tea.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • Put the spices in a large tea-ball or tie loosely in cheese cloth.

    Archive 2007-12-01 Kate 2007

  • Put the spices in a large tea-ball or tie loosely in cheese cloth.

    Reading, Writing, Cooking and Crafting: What 2-buck-chuck was made for Kate 2007

  • Then there was a grand scramble, in the course of which Betty captured the tea-ball and the lemons, and Katherine the teakettle, while Rachel secured two cups and retired from the scene of action to wash them for

    Betty Wales, Sophomore Margaret Warde

  • The last of them was bidding her adieu as her husband entered and joined her brothers, who were lingering for a farewell word with her, each occupied in characteristic fashion, John gazing into the fire that smouldered on the grate, for it was a raw and chilly afternoon, and Frank endeavoring to coax a last cup of tea from the silver tea-ball and the still steaming kettle.

    An American Suffragette Isaac N. Stevens

  • Finally Katherine agreed that Betty might "wiggle the tea-ball" provided that she -- Katherine -- should be allowed two pieces of lemon in every cup; and the three lively damsels settled down into a sedate group of tea-drinkers.

    Betty Wales, Sophomore Margaret Warde

  • "Not unless I can wiggle the tea-ball afterward," announced Betty firmly.

    Betty Wales, Sophomore Margaret Warde

  • When they got into the china closet and Mrs. Betty found a silver tea-ball she exclaimed rapturously:

    Hepsey Burke

  • Aileen busied herself with setting all in order and twirling the tea-ball in each cup of boiling water, as if she had been used to this ultra method of making tea all her life.

    Flamsted quarries Mary E. Waller

  • She found her sitting languidly beside her wicker tea-table, playing with the tea-ball, and carrying on a disconcerted conversation with Evelyn.

    The Girl Scouts' Good Turn Edith Lavell

  • "Well, so am I Irish," she retorted pouting; she began to make him a second cup of tea by twirling the silver tea-ball in the shallow cup until the hot water flew over the edge; "but I shouldn't consider it necessary to be faithful to any one who had forgotten and left me for six years."

    Flamsted quarries Mary E. Waller

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