teacup
/ˈtiːkʌp/
noun
Origin
English
tea + cup — a vessel for holding the beverage tea
Overview
Meaning Now
- A small cup, often with a handle and accompanying saucer, specifically designed for drinking tea.
Literal older meaning
a cup for tea
Language path
Middle Chinese → Middle English → English
Earliest form
tea-cup
Earliest period
17th century
Journey
The teacup as a distinct vessel evolved in Europe during the 17th century as Chinese porcelain imports became highly fashionable. Early European teacups lacked handles, mirroring the style of traditional Chinese tea bowls, but handles were added in the 18th century to accommodate the European preference for hot tea.
Evolution
- Middle Chinese (c. 7th century)
茶 (chá)
“tea”
Origin of the root word 'tea'.
- Old English (c. 11th century)
cuppe
“a vessel for drinking”
Derived from Late Latin 'cuppa'.
- Early Modern English (1670s)
tea-cup
“a vessel specifically for drinking tea”
Compound formation during the rise of tea trade in Europe.
Connections
Word parts
tea
root
the tea plant or its infusion
cup
root
a small container for liquid
Related across languages
Dutch
theekop
teacup
German
Teetasse
teacup
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External references use DefinedTerm semantics.