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tartar
[ tahr-ter ]
/ ËtÉr tÉr /
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This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
noun
Dentistry. calculus (def. 3).
the deposit from wines, potassium bitartrate.
the intermediate product of cream of tartar, obtained from the crude form, argol.
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Origin of tartar
1350â1400; Middle English <Medieval Latin tartarum<Late Greek tĂĄrtaron; replacing Middle English tartre<Middle French <Medieval Latin, as above
Words nearby tartar
tarsometatarsus, tarsus, tart, tartan, tartanry, tartar, tartarated, tartare, Tartarean, tartar emetic, tartare sauce
Other definitions for tartar (2 of 3)
Also Tatar (for defs. 1, 2, 4, 5, 8).
Origin of Tartar
1First recorded in 1350â1400; Middle English, from Medieval Latin Tartarus, perhaps variant of TÄtÄrus (unattested), from Persian TÄtÄr, by association with Tartarus; replacing Middle English Tartre, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin, as above
OTHER WORDS FROM Tartar
Tar·tar·ly, adverbOther definitions for tartar (3 of 3)
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use tartar in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for tartar (1 of 3)
tartar1
/ (ËtÉËtÉ) /
noun
dentistry a hard crusty deposit on the teeth, consisting of food, cellular debris, and mineral salts
Also called: argol a brownish-red substance consisting mainly of potassium hydrogen tartrate, present in grape juice and deposited during the fermentation of wine
Word Origin for tartar
C14: from Medieval Latin tartarum, from Medieval Greek tartaron
British Dictionary definitions for tartar (2 of 3)
tartar2
/ (ËtÉËtÉ) /
noun
(sometimes capital) a fearsome or formidable person
Word Origin for tartar
C16: special use of Tartar
British Dictionary definitions for tartar (3 of 3)
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
Scientific definitions for tartar
tartar
[ tĂ€râČtÉr ]
A hard yellowish deposit on the teeth, consisting of organic secretions and food particles deposited in various salts, such as calcium carbonate.
A reddish acid compound consisting of a tartrate of potassium, found in the juice of grapes and deposited on the sides of wine casks.
The American HeritageÂź Science Dictionary
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