tar
tar1 definition
tar (tär)
noun
- a thick, sticky, brown to black liquid with a pungent odor, obtained by the destructive distillation of wood, coal, peat, shale, etc.: tars are composed of hydrocarbons and their derivatives, and are used for protecting and preserving surfaces, in making various organic compounds, etc.
- loosely any of the solids in smoke, as from tobacco
Etymology: ME terre < OE teru < PGmc *terw(i)a-, substance from trees < IE base *deru-, tree
adjective
- of or like tar
- covered with tar; tarred
tar Idioms
tar and feather
☆ to cover (a person) with tar and feathers as in punishment by mob action
tar2 definition
tar (tär)
noun
Informal a sailor
Etymology: < tar(paulin)
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