tee¹ (tē)
n.

1. The letter t.
2. Something shaped like a T.
3. Sports & Games. A mark aimed at in certain games, such as curling or quoits.

idiom:

to a tee

1. Perfectly; exactly: a plan that suits me to a tee.

tee² (tē)
n.

1. A small peg with a concave top for holding a golf ball for an initial drive.
2. The designated area of each golf hole from which a player makes his or her first stroke.
3. A device used to stand a football on end for a kickoff.
4. A shaft with a concave top attached to a flat base, used to hold the ball in T-ball.

tr.v., teed, tee·ing, tees.
To place (a ball) on a tee. Often used with up.

phrasal verb:

tee off

1. To drive a golf ball from the tee.
2. Slang. To start or begin: They teed off the fundraising campaign with a dinner.
3. Slang. To make angry or disgusted: The impertinent remarks teed the speaker off.

[Back-formation from obsolete Scots teaz (taken as a pl.).]

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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