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elevenses

[ ih-lev-uhn-ziz ]

noun

, (usually used with a plural verb)
  1. a midmorning break for refreshments:

    They paused for tea and muffins at elevenses.

  2. the refreshments taken; a midmorning snack:

    Elevenses were not ready to be served.



elevenses

/ ɪˈlɛvənzɪz /

plural noun

  1. informal.
    sometimes functioning as singular a light snack, usually with tea or coffee, taken mid-morning
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Word History and Origins

Origin of elevenses1

First recorded in 1840–65; originally dialect; doubly pluralized form of eleven, perhaps as ellipsis of eleven hours (eleven o'clock)

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eleven-pluseleventh