The word 'tea' is originally from Chinese 'dé'

'Tea' is a word borrowed from Chinese 'dé'. The word entered the English language some time around 1655.

tea [noun] [circa 1655]

• a shrub ( of the family Theaceae, the tea family) cultivated especially in China, Japan, and the East Indies
• the leaves, leaf buds, and internodes of the tea plant prepared and cured for the market, classed according to method o...
• an aromatic beverage prepared from tea leaves by infusion with boiling water
• any of various plants somewhat resembling tea in properties

See 'tea' on the Loan Words Map

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Etymology: Chinese (Xiamen) 'dé'

See more loan words from 1600s.