teaze

Verb

tease (third-person singular simple present teases, present participle teasing, simple past and past participle teased)

1. (transitive) To separate the fibres of (a fibrous material).
2. (transitive) To comb (originally with teasels) so that the fibres all lie in one direction.
3. (transitive) To backcomb.
4. (transitive) To poke fun at, either cruelly or affectionately in a playful way.
   • The difference between teasing and taunting is like the difference between kissing and spitting. The ingredients are the same; it is the emotion that determines whether it is pleasing or repellent.... Proper teasing says, in effect, "I know all your little oddities and faults, but as they are part...1998 February 22, Judith Martin, “Tease and sympathy”, in The Washington Post

   Synonyms:

   razz, chaff

5. (transitive) To provoke or disturb; to annoy.
   • Not by the force of carnal reason, / But indefatigable teasing.1684, Samuel Butler, Hudibras

   Synonyms:

   ride

6. (transitive) To manipulate or influence the behavior of, especially by repeated acts of irritation.
   • A young woman, if she fall into bad hands, may be teazed, and kept at a distance from those she wants to be with; but one cannot comprehend a young man’s being under such restraint, as not to be able to spend a week with his father, if he likes it.1815 December (indicated as 1816), [Jane Austen], chapter XIV, in Emma: […], volume I, London: […] [Charles Roworth and James Moyes] for John Murray, →OCLC, page 260

See all 12 meanings of tease