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Glite Dictionary
Mexican tea

Mexican tea

8.1
A strong-smelling herb used for cooking and in traditional medicine
  • noun
  • /ˈmɛksɪkən ti/
  • US
translation icon : té mexicano
  • The herb known as Mexican tea is often used in traditional medicine.

Examples

  • Chefs occasionally use Mexican tea leaves to flavor certain dishes.

  • Gardeners warn that Mexican tea can become invasive if left unchecked.

  • I love to drink Mexican tea in the evenings.

  • Have you ever tried Mexican tea?

  • Chefs occasionally use Mexican tea leaves to flavor certain dishes.

  • The herb known as Mexican tea is often used in traditional medicine.

  • Gardeners warn that Mexican tea can become invasive if left unchecked.

Synonyms

Chenopodium ambrosioides
vsMexican tea
  • Specialized
9.9

A herb with a strong smell used in Mexican cooking and traditional medicine

refers to the aromatic plant used in cooking, traditional medicine, and as pest repellent

Surface Forms

Mexican tea singular
Mexican teas plural

Morphology

Mexican + tea

The phrase 'Mexican tea' is transparently composed: a B1 learner who knows 'Mexican' (origin/association with Mexico) and 'tea' (a plant or beverage) will readily infer it denotes a type/variety of tea associated with Mexico. While the specific botanical identity or medicinal uses may require cultural knowledge, the basic meaning as a Mexico-related tea/plant is directly derivable from the constituents.

Etymology

Mexican tea: The name comes from people in Mexico who brewed the strong-smelling herb as a simple tea, so the plant itself was called Mexican tea and today the name refers to the herb used in cooking and traditional medicine.