coffee Hear it!

coffee Definition

cof·fee (kôf′ē, käf′-)

noun

  1. a dark-brown, aromatic drink made by brewing in water the roasted and ground beanlike seeds of a tall tropical shrub (genus Coffea) of the madder family
  2. these seeds, found in the red berries of the shrub
  3. the shrub itself
  4. the color of coffee containing milk or cream; light brown
  5. a reception or social gathering at which coffee, tea, etc. are served, esp. one held for the purpose of promoting a cause or introducing a political candidate

Etymology: It caffè < Turk qahwe < Ar qahwa, coffee, said to be after Kaffa, area in Ethiopia, home of the plant

coffee Synonyms

coffee

n.

  1. beverage, decoction, java*; see drink 3.

    Varieties of coffee include: French roast, dark roast, Arabica, Mocha, Sumatra, Java, Brazilian, Santos, Rio, Guatemalan, decaffeinated, decaf, Maracaibo, Arabian, Costa Rican, Royal Kona (trademark), Bogotá, Medellín, Colombian.

  2. Prepared coffee includes: Turkish, Armenian, Irish, drip, percolated, vacuum, freeze-dried, instant, French roast, demitasse, café noir, café au lait, café crème, café filtre (all French), Kaffee Wien, Kaffee mit Schlag (both German), caffé lattè, cappuccino, espresso (all Italian), turska kava (Slavic), turetskoe kofe (Russian), camp coffee*.

coffee Finance Definition
An agricultural product and one of the most popular drinks in the world. Coffee futures and options are traded on the Coffee, Sugar & Cocoa Exchange (CSCE), which became a subsidiary of the New York Board of Trade in 1998. The coffee futures contract traded on the CSCE calls for delivery of washed Arabica coffee beans which are grown in several Central and South American, Asian, and African countries.
coffee Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • decaffeinate: The machine has a 3kg bean hopper plus four further canisters for powdered milk, chocolate, sugar and decaffeinated coffee.
  • brew: A gentle touch on the sensitive touch-screen selection panel is all it takes for the sensors to translate your desires into perfectly brewed coffee.
  • sip: But I soon found out it was going to involve more work than sitting in cafes sipping decent coffee.
  • roast: There was always a gorgeous smell of freshly roasted coffee near that vent.
  • smell: Romantic: " It must be wonderful to wake up in the morning and smell the coffee... in Brazil.

Adjective modifier

  • instant: I was trying to sell instant coffee to a customer who was now looking for the real thing.
  • iced: Blackjack 3cl kirsch 3cl iced coffee 1.5cl brandy Pour all ingredients into a shaker with ice.
  • milky: Milky coffee: all milk with coffee and sugar.
  • complimentary: Complimentary coffee and biscuits are available in the morning and tea and biscuits in the afternoon are also included.

Modifies a noun

  • bean: Some top aroma tips are to put a vanilla pod in the oven or grill a coffee bean.
  • shop: Coffee shop at Finn Gold Cup reports record sales!
  • morning: In August we held a coffee morning, the proceeds of which were donated to Claire House Children's Hospice.
  • mug: Your photo and a short message printed onto a coffee mug.
  • maker: Kitchen appliances include a stove, oven, fridge, freezer, blender, toaster and coffee maker.
  • plantation: After this the road climbs through tea and coffee plantations.

Noun used with modifier

  • espresso: The Nespresso system takes all the hassle out of making espresso coffee.
  • gourmet: This makes the beans eminently suitable for the gourmet coffee market.
  • specialty: They can also assist with the design of specialty coffee menus.
  • arabica: They grow robusta and a little unwashed arabica coffee, as well as mixed beans, sorghum, maize and banana.
  • morning: Enjoy an evening drink or morning coffee on the roof terrace whilst taking in panoramic views.
coffee Quotes

Whena manisdownonhisluck heseemsto consumeall he can get of coffee and doughnuts.

—Davies, Robertson

Complacencies of the peignoir, and late Coffee and oranges in a sunny chair, And the green freedom of a cockatoo Upon a rug mingle to dissipate The holy hush of ancient sacrifice.

—Stevens,Wallace

For I have known them all already, known them allö Have known the evenings, mornings, afternoons, I have measured out my life with coffee spoons; I know the voices dying with a dying fall Beneath the music from a farther room.

—Eliot,T(homas) S(tearns)

   The morning cup of coffee has an exhilaration about it which the cheering influence of the afternoon or evening cup of tea cannot be expected to reproduce. 408

—Holmes, Oliver Wendell

Rock 'n'roll is instant coffee. 348

—Geldof, Bob

If I were a woman I'd wear coffee as a perfume.

—Van Druten,JohnWilliam

I couldn't eat, just went on drinking coffee, and sweating it out again. Liquid had no time to be digested; it came through the pores long before it reached the stomach. I lay wet through with sweat for four hoursöit was very nearly like happiness.

—Greene, (Henry) Graham