Teacupful Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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teacupful
[ˈtiː.kʌp.fəl ]
Definition
measurement, drink
A teacupful is a measurement of volume that corresponds to the amount that can be held in a standard teacup. It is often used in recipes or cooking to denote a specific quantity of liquid, typically tea or other beverages. This quantity can vary slightly depending on the size of the teacup used but generally considers a teacup to hold about 6 to 8 ounces (177 to 237 milliliters). The term is particularly common in British English.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- Add two teacupfuls of sugar to the mixture.
- She drank a teacupful of herbal tea each evening.
- The recipe requires one teacupful of milk.
- I filled my favorite teacupful with freshly brewed coffee.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Cultural Significance
- In British culture, taking tea is a well-established ritual often associated with afternoon gatherings and socialization.
- Tea ceremonies in various cultures, like Japanese, emphasize the spiritual and artistic aspects of tea drinking.
- The teacup itself is often artistically designed, showcasing craftsmanship and tradition, especially in places like China.
Health Benefits
- Tea is known for its antioxidants that can help improve heart health and lower cholesterol.
- Drinking tea may promote relaxation and reduce stress levels, making it a soothing daily ritual.
- Certain types of tea, such as green tea, are linked to potential weight loss benefits.
Literature
- In literature, a 'teacupful' can symbolize comfort, warmth, and hospitality, often seen in scenes of gatherings.
- Authors use teacupful metaphors to convey small yet significant moments of connection or reflection.
- Classic stories often feature tea-drinking scenes that elevate social interactions, showcasing character relationships.
Science
- The volume of a standard teacup can vary by culture, but it is generally considered to be around 200 to 250 milliliters.
- Measurement in teacupfuls can lead to interesting experiments in chemistry, such as brewing the perfect cup of tea by balancing flavors.
- Studying the temperature of tea in cups can explain how heat transfer works in liquids and its effect on flavor.
Origin of 'teacupful'
Main points about word origin
- The word combines 'tea cup' and 'ful', indicating a measure, showing its direct function in measurement.
- It reflects the English tradition of tea drinking, which became prominent in the 17th century.
- The term suggests a focus on small, precise quantities, highlighting the careful nature of tea serving.
The word 'teacupful' is a compound of 'teacup' + 'ful', where 'teacup' traces its origins back to the early 19th century, combining 'tea' (from the Chinese word 'cha') and 'cup', an Old English word indicating a drinking vessel. The suffix 'ful' is a common English suffix that denotes 'full of' or indicative of an amount, derived from the Old English 'fyllan', meaning 'to fill'. The use of teacups for serving tea became prominent during the British tea culture, which flourished in the 18th and 19th centuries. Thus, the term conveys not only a unit of measurement but also reflects cultural practices around tea consumption.