What is the meaning of tease?

noun

• Someone given to teasing (as by mocking or stirring curiosity.
  • synonyms: teaser, annoyer, vexer
• A seductive woman who uses her sex appeal to exploit men.
  • synonyms: coquette, flirt, vamp, vamper, minx, prickteaser
• The act of harassing someone playfully or maliciously (especially by ridicule); provoking someone with persistent annoyances.
  • usage: "he ignored their teases"; "his ribbing was gentle but persistent"
  • synonyms: teasing, ribbing, tantalization

verb

• Annoy persistently.
  • usage: "The children teased the boy because of his stammer"
  • synonyms: badger, pester, bug, beleaguer
• Harass with persistent criticism or carping.
  • usage: "The children teased the new teacher"; "Don't ride me so hard over my failure"; "His fellow workers razzed him when he wore a jacket and tie"
  • synonyms: razz, rag, cod, tantalize, tantalise, bait, taunt, twit, rally, ride
• To arouse hope, desire, or curiosity without satisfying them.
  • usage: "The advertisement is intended to tease the customers"; "She has a way of teasing men with her flirtatious behavior"
• Tear into pieces.
  • usage: "tease tissue for microscopic examinations"
• Raise the nap of (fabrics. )
• Disentangle and raise the fibers of.
  • usage: "tease wool"
  • synonyms: tease apart, loosen
• Separate the fibers of.
  • usage: "tease wool"
  • synonyms: card
• Mock or make fun of playfully.
  • usage: "the flirting man teased the young woman"
• Ruffle (one's hair) by combing the ends towards the scalp, for a full effect.
  • synonyms: fluff