How Do You Spell ELEVENSES?

Pronunciation: [ɪlˈɛvənsɪz] (IPA)

"Elevenses" is a British term referring to a light morning snack. It is pronounced /ɪˈlɛvənzɪz/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable is pronounced like "ill" or "ihl", followed by "ev" as in "ever". The final two syllables are pronounced like "en-ziz", with the stress on the second-to-last syllable. The spelling of "elevenses" comes from the idea that the snack is consumed around 11 am, or the "elevnth hour" of the traditional British working day.

ELEVENSES Meaning and Definition

1. Elevenses is a term primarily used in British English to describe a light snack or break that takes place around 11 o'clock in the morning. It is often associated with the British culture and the tradition of taking a short break to have a refreshment during the mid-morning hours. The word "elevenses" is derived from the time of the day it usually occurs, around eleven in the morning.

   This tradition originated from the concept of dividing the day into separate meal times, where breakfast is the first meal in the morning, followed by elevenses before lunch. Elevenses serves as a small boost to help bridge the gap between breakfast and lunch, providing sustenance and energy to get through the rest of the morning. It typically involves having a hot drink, such as tea or coffee, accompanied by a light meal such as biscuits, pastries, or sandwiches.

   Elevenses is not only a break for nourishment but also a social occasion. It is often enjoyed among colleagues, friends, or family members. The term has gained popularity outside the UK and has been adopted in other English-speaking countries to refer to a similar mid-morning snack or break.

   In summary, "elevenses" refers to a mid-morning break or snack that occurs around 11 o'clock, often consisting of a hot drink and a light meal. It is a British tradition that provides sustenance and serves as a social occasion to bridge the gap between breakfast and lunch.

Common Misspellings for ELEVENSES

• televeeses
• elevenet
• clevences
• elevensies
• leveenses
• elevestes
• Exeventes

Etymology of ELEVENSES

The word "elevenses" originated in Britain and is derived from the combination of two words: "eleven" and "Americanisms". "Eleven" refers to the time of day, specifically mid-morning around 11 o'clock, while "Americanisms" refers to the custom of taking a short break to consume light refreshments during that time. The term "elevenses" emerged in the early 20th century as British society began adopting the practice of having a light snack, usually with tea or coffee, to tide them over until lunchtime. It is a charming term often associated with British tea culture.