tease

tease [tēz]

vt.

teased, teasing [ME tesen < OE tæsan, to pull about, pluck, tease, akin to Du teezen < IE * di-s < base * dā(i)-, to cut apart, divide > TIDE¹]

1.

a) to separate the fibers of; card or comb (flax, wool, etc.)

b) to fluff (the hair) by brushing or combing in strokes from the hair ends toward the scalp

c) to gently shred or pull apart (tissues, etc.) for microscopic examination, cellular research, etc.

☆ d) to reveal, extract, obtain, etc. by painstaking effort: often with out [it took hours to tease out the meaning of the story]

2. to raise a nap on (cloth) by brushing with teasels; teasel

3. to annoy or harass by persistent mocking or poking fun, playful fooling, etc.

4. to urge persistently; importune

5.

a) to tantalize

b) to excite sexually without intending to satisfy the desire aroused

vi.

to indulge in teasing

n.

1. a teasing or being teased

2. a person who teases

SYN.- ANNOY

teasingly

adv.