tea-time
British afternoon ritual
Tea-time is the hour in late afternoon when tea is traditionally served, typically around four or five o'clock.
The custom is particularly British, often accompanied by light refreshments like sandwiches or scones: We'll discuss it at tea-time.
The term extends to any regular afternoon break, whether or not tea is actually involved.
Small quick breads
- clotted creamThick scalded milk fat
- cucumber sandwichesLight tea-party fare
- finger sandwichesBite-sized party fare
- Victoria spongeFilled layer cake, British origin
crumpets · doilies · tiered stand · fine china · drawing room · parlor · Devonshire · petits fours
Steeped or fermented drink
- steepedSaturated by soaking
- infusionSteeping to extract essence
- sippingDrinking in small mouthfuls
- herbalRelating to medicinal plants
green · black · oolong · chai · jasmine · Earl Grey · Darjeeling · peppermint
Temporary cessation of activity
- respiteShort pause from hardship
- intermissionScheduled performance pause
- recessPause in activity
- breatherBrief period of rest
rest · interval · interlude · relaxation · downtime · mid-afternoon · elevenses · routine
Collection of people meeting
- conversationExchange of spoken ideas
- companionshipState of having company
- friendsVoluntary close relations
- familyRelated people together
chat · hospitality · bonding · invitation · guests · hosting · visit · catching up
Ceremonial set of actions
- matchaPowdered Japanese green tea
- tatamiWoven rush floor mat
- kaisekiRefined Japanese multi-course cuisine
- zenMeditative calm
meditation · harmony · tranquility · mindfulness · incense · respect · purity · ikebana
scones
Small quick breads
- clotted creamThick scalded milk fat
- cucumber sandwichesLight tea-party fare
- finger sandwichesBite-sized party fare
Victoria sponge · crumpets · doilies · tiered stand · fine china · drawing room · parlor · Devonshire · petits fours · jam
brew
Steeped or fermented drink
herbal · green · black · oolong · chai · jasmine · Earl Grey · Darjeeling · peppermint · chamomile
pause
Temporary cessation of activity
- respiteShort pause from hardship
- intermissionScheduled performance pause
- recessPause in activity
breather · rest · interval · interlude · relaxation · downtime · mid-afternoon · elevenses · routine · schedule
gathering
Collection of people meeting
- conversationExchange of spoken ideas
- companionshipState of having company
- friendsVoluntary close relations
family · chat · hospitality · bonding · invitation · guests · hosting · visit · catching up · gossip
ritual
Ceremonial set of actions
- matchaPowdered Japanese green tea
- tatamiWoven rush floor mat
- kaisekiRefined Japanese multi-course cuisine
zen · meditation · harmony · tranquility · mindfulness · incense · respect · purity · ikebana · host
tea-timebreakfast time
Morning meal hour
morning · dawn · sunrise · early morning · midnight
tea-timecrunch time
High-pressure final stretch
rush hour · hustle · working hours · grind · overtime