tan

¹

[ tan ]

verb (used with object)

, tanned, tan·ning.

1. to convert (a hide) into leather, especially by soaking or steeping in a bath prepared from tanbark or synthetically.
2. to make brown by exposure to ultraviolet rays, as of the sun.
3. Informal. to thrash; spank.

verb (used without object)

, tanned, tan·ning.

1. to become tanned.

noun

1. the brown color imparted to the skin by exposure to the sun or open air.
2. yellowish brown; light brown.
3. tanbark ( def ).

adjective

, tan·ner, tan·nest.

1. of the color of tan; yellowish-brown.
2. used in or relating to tanning processes, materials, etc.

tan

²

[ tan ]

noun

1. tangent ( def 5b ).

Tan

³

[ tan ]

noun

1. Amy, born 1952, U.S. novelist.

TAN

⁴

[ tan ]

noun

1. tax-anticipation note.

tan

¹

/ tæn /

noun

1. the brown colour produced by the skin after intensive exposure to ultraviolet rays, esp those of the sun
2. a light or moderate yellowish-brown colour
3. See tanbark
   short for tanbark

verb

1. to go brown or cause to go brown after exposure to ultraviolet rays

   she tans easily

2. to convert (a skin or hide) into leather by treating it with a tanning agent, such as vegetable tannins, chromium salts, fish oils, or formaldehyde
3. slang.
   tr to beat or flog

adjective

1. of the colour tan

   tan gloves

2. used in or relating to tanning

tan

²

/ tæn /

abbreviation for

1. tangent (sense 2)

tan

1. Abbreviation of tangent

Derived Forms

• ˈtannable, adjective
• ˈtannish, adjective

Other Words From

• tanna·ble adjective
• un·tanned adjective
• well-tanned adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tan¹

First recorded before 1000; 1920–25 tan ¹fordef 2; Middle English tannen “to make hide into leather,” late Old English tannian (only in past participle getanned ), from Medieval Latin tannāre, derivative of tannum “oak bark, tanbark,” from Germanic; compare Old High German tanna “oak, fir,” akin to Dutch den “fir”

Origin of tan²

By shortening

Word History and Origins

Origin of tan¹

Old English tannian (unattested as infinitive, attested as getanned, past participle), from Medieval Latin tannāre, from tannum tanbark, perhaps of Celtic origin; compare Irish tana thin

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. tan someone's hide, Informal. to beat someone soundly:

   She threatened to tan our hides if she found us on her property again.

Example Sentences

Otis says he was wearing a tan jacket similar to one described by witnesses.

From The Daily Beast

Little ricochets of dust kicked into the face of a tall man in a tan shalwar kameez and prayer cap.

From The Daily Beast

Judging by the pictures of President Truong Tan Sang and Obama, Vietnam is showing some affection back.

From The Daily Beast

During the season, he regularly takes a dugout seat where he can work on his tan.

From The Daily Beast

The philosopher once complained about young men whose desire for learning resembled their desire for a sun tan.

From The Daily Beast

She wore soiled Burberry, high-legged tan boots, and a peaked cap of distinctly military appearance.

From Project Gutenberg

The corporal, rather chalky-looking under his tan, stepped forward and laid a hand on MacRae's shoulder.

From Project Gutenberg

Woollen rags are mixed with cotton which has no manurial value, and the skin refuse from tan-works contains much lime.

From Project Gutenberg

I recognized the reddish tan that comes from facing a hot wind on the top of a moving boxcar.

From Project Gutenberg

He was as well groomed as usual, but he was unmistakably pale beneath his new coat of tan.

From Project Gutenberg