tea service
3
2.4
- noun
:
servicio de té
- For the celebration, the family brought out their finest silver tea service to serve guests.
- a silver tea service
- tea service on a tray
- afternoon tea service
Examples
-
Mother was seated on the couch; the tea service for two was on the oval coffee table in front.
Fiction book (2001) -
Rebecca enters wearing a sheer silk bathrobe and carrying a tea service on a tray.
Fiction book (1993) -
When I come back down, I expect a massive tea service.
-
"The waitress brought the tea service.
Fiction book (1993) -
Demetrio had returned, bearing the tea service.
Fiction book (1995) -
ALFRED clears some space on a lab table and sets the tea service down.
Fiction book (1992) -
An oil portrait of Grace, the deceased, looks down the long length of the dining table, where the candelabra and tea service once sat.
Fiction book (2002) -
Demetrio set down the tea service, straightened, and fastened his greenish gaze on the mistress's son.
Fiction book (1995) -
Wedgwood produced an Egyptian tea service whose teapots sported crocodile handles and hieroglyphic borders.
Academic text (2004) -
"Shoulders slightly stooped from the weight of the overloaded tea service, Sophie exited the room, careful not to start grumbling until she'd safely reached the hall."
Fiction book (2001)
Synonyms
33
4.4
A set of matching plates, cups and cutlery for serving meals
6
1.4
A matching set of cups, saucers, and a teapot used to serve tea
1
3.1
A set of matching dishes and utensils used at the dining table
A set of cups and pots used for making and serving tea
How Complete
Surface Forms
Morphology
The noun phrase is directly compositional: 'tea' specifies the type and 'service' denotes a matching set of dishes/cups, so a B1 learner who knows both words can readily infer a set used for serving tea. This compound follows common cross-linguistic patterns (e.g. 'service à thé', 'servicio de té'), reinforcing its predictability.
Etymology
Tea service comes from the simple picture of serving tea with matching pieces: a teapot, cups, saucers and a sugar bowl on a tray for guests. So, it means a 'set' of matching dishes used to serve tea.