The leaf of the tea-plant; esp. in pl. the leaves after being infused to make the beverage.
1728. A Trip to the Moon, v. 30. As the Tea Leaves began to spread themselves, so she began to discover her Mind, ’till I became acquainted with all her Secrets.
1756. Hanway, Ess. Tea, vi. 237. You have also heard that your maids dry your tea-leaves, and sell them.
1798. Monthly Mag., July, 30/1. Texeira, a Spaniard who visited the East Indies about the year 1600, saw the dried tea-leaves first in Malacca.
1851. Mayhew, Lond. Labour, II. 133/1. An extensive trade … is carried on in tea-leaves … after their having been subjected, in the usual way, to decoction. Ibid., 133/2. The tea-leaves are often reserved … to be thrown on the carpets when swept, as a means of allaying the dust.
c. 1865. Circ. Sc., I. 351/2. The tea-leaves have … to be infused with boiling water.
So Tea-leaved a., having leaves like those of the tea-plant: specifically applied to a species of willow (Salix phylicifolia).
1806. J. Galpine, Brit. Bot., § 409.
1861. Miss Pratt, Flower-Pl., V. 106.
