Tallis

American

[tal-is] / ˈtæl ɪs /

Or Tallys,

noun

Thomas, c1505–85, English organist and composer, especially of church music.

Tallis ¹ British

/ ˈtælɪs /

noun

Thomas. ?1505–85, English composer and organist; noted for his music for the Anglican liturgy

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

tallis ² British

/ ˈtɑlis, tɑˈlit /

noun

Judaism a fringed shawl worn by Jewish men during morning prayers

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of tallis

from Hebrew, literally: a cover

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In the Sistine Chapel there was a serene moment with the singing of a piece by the English Catholic composer Thomas Tallis.

From BBC • Oct. 23, 2025

Tallis urges anyone interested in the Buzzard to “stop by the store and let us know what you think.”

From Seattle Times • May 30, 2024

I think Byrd and Tallis knew people who were arrested, and I think there were some composers for one reason or another during this time arrested.

From New York Times • Jul. 4, 2023

Wrexham had an early penalty shout waved away by referee Scott Tallis for what appeared to be a shove on Mullin, but the first half at the Racecourse Ground was largely a cagey affair.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2023

He too stood in lengthy conference with the two plainclothesmen, and then with Leon, and finally with Leon and Mrs. Tallis.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023