tartan¹ Definition
tar·tan (tärt′'n)
noun
- woolen cloth with a woven pattern of straight lines of different colors and widths crossing at right angles, esp. as worn in the Scottish Highlands, where each clan has its own pattern
- any plaid cloth like this
- any tartan pattern
- a garment made of tartan
Etymology: prob. < MFr tiretaine, a cloth of mixed fibers < OFr tiret, a kind of cloth < tire, cloth (of silk) from the East < ML tyrius, material from Tyre < L Tyrus, Tyre; sp. infl. by ME tartarin, a rich material < MFr (drap) tartarin, Tartar (cloth)
adjective
of, like, or made of tartan
tartan² Definition
tar·tan (tärt′'n)
noun
a small, single-masted Mediterranean ship with a large lateen sail and a jib
Etymology: Fr tartane < It tartana, prob. ult. < Ar tarrād (colloquial form taṭrīda), small, swift kind of ship
tartan Usage Examples
Converse of object
- wear: Anyone caught wearing tartan or playing the bagpipes could be sent to jail for six months.
- design: The industrious Prince Albert even designed a Balmoral tartan.
- find: Question: Please help me find the tartan for my family name of Kelly?
- include: A. At the moment they include the purple tartans and plains kilts.
- have: Didn't even know that I had a tartan.
- make: By 1784 they produced 35 superfine tartans made of very fine wool, all of which can be found in his treasured sample book.
Adjective modifier
- Scottish: Question: Does the Milligan family have its own Scottish tartan?
- own: Question: Does the Milligan family have its own Scottish tartan?
- different: Scott decided that in order for the King to tell the different clans apart each clan would wear a different tartan.
- new: The dancers wore the new tartan for the first time in 2004.
- red: The " Caledonia " is a complex red tartan dating from at least 1800.
Modifies a noun
- plaid: Will they find the tartan plaid In my genes?
- kilt: Chris wears an Argyll outfit with Modern Douglas tartan kilt.
- scarf: To order your own Northumberland tartan scarf or shawl, please visit the Northumberland " Virtual " Gift Shop.
- rug: An attractive multi colored tartan pattern picnic rug which protects you from damp grass or sand.
- ribbon: At the end of June the opening ceremony for the conservatory saw Goon cutting the tartan ribbon watched by over a score of members.
- skirt: If you ask me the kilt wearing singer was wearing a tartan skirt - meant for ladies.
Noun used with modifier
Browse dictionary entries near tartan
- tartar ›
- tartar emetic ›
- tartar sauce ›
- tartar steak ›
- tartare ›
- Tartarean ›
- Tartarian ›
- tartaric ›
- tartaric acid ›
- tartarous ›

