tease
UK: tiːz | US: tiːz
vt. to make fun of someone playfully or unkindly
vt. to provoke or annoy someone persistently
vt. to separate fibers (e.g., wool or hair) by combing
n. a person who habitually teases others
n. an act of teasing
The word "tease" originated from Old English tǣsan, which referred to the physical act of pulling apart fibers (e.g., wool or flax). Over time, the meaning expanded metaphorically to include provoking or annoying someone, akin to "pulling" at their patience. By the 17th century, it also acquired the playful or mocking sense still used today.
She loves to tease her little brother about his fear of spiders.
Stop teasing the dog—it’s getting agitated.
Workers carefully teased the wool before spinning it into yarn.
He’s such a tease, always joking but never mean-spirited.
The comedian’s gentle tease made the audience laugh.