The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
Teasel — Tea sel, n. [OE. tesel, AS. t[=ae]sel, t[=ae]sl, the fuller s herb. See {Tease}.] [Written also {tassel}, {tazel}, {teasle}, {teazel}, and {teazle}.] 1. (Bot.) A plant of the genus {Dipsacus}, of which one species ({Dipsacus fullonum}) bears a… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
teasel — [tē′zəl] n. [ME tasel < OE tæsel < base of tæsan, to TEASE] 1. any of a genus (Dipsacus) of bristly plants of the teasel family, with prickly, cylindrical heads of yellowish or purplish flowers, esp. the fuller s teasel ( D. fullonum) with… … English World dictionary
teasel — (also teazle or teazel) ► NOUN 1) a tall prickly plant with spiny purple flower heads. 2) a dried head from a teasel, or a similar man made device, used to raise a nap on woven cloth. ORIGIN Old English, related to TEASE(Cf. ↑tease) … English terms dictionary
teasel — O.E. tæsel large thistle used in teasing cloth, from P.Gmc. *taisilo (Cf. O.H.G. zeisala), from root of O.E. tæsan to pluck (see TEASE (Cf. tease) (v.)) … Etymology dictionary
teasel — (Brit.) tea·sel || tɪËzl v. comb, raise a nap on cloth (also teazel) tea·sel || tɪËzl n. type of plant … English contemporary dictionary
teasel — teaseler; esp. Brit., teaseller, n. /tee zeuhl/, n., v., teaseled, teaseling or (esp. Brit.) teaselled, teaselling. n. 1. any of several plants of the genus Dipsacus, having prickly leaves and flower heads. Cf. teasel family. 2. the dried flower… … Universalium
teasel — I. noun Etymology: Middle English tesel, from Old English tǣsel; akin to Old English tǣsan to tease Date: before 12th century 1. a. an Old World prickly herb (Dipsacus fullonum of the family Dipsacaceae, the teasel family) with flower heads that… … New Collegiate Dictionary
teasel — (also teazle or teazel) noun 1》 a tall prickly plant with spiny purple flower heads. [Genus Dipsacus: several species.] 2》 a dried head from a teasel, or a similar man made device, used to raise a nap on woven cloth. verb chiefly archaic raise a… … English new terms dictionary
teasel — UK [ˈtiːz(ə)l] / US [ˈtɪz(ə)l] noun [countable] Word forms teasel : singular teasel plural teasels a plant with flowers and leaves that have sharp points … English dictionary
teasel — [[t]ti͟ːz(ə)l[/t]] teasels also teazel, teazle N COUNT A teasel is a plant with dry prickly flowers and leaves … English dictionary
