tartar

[ tahr-ter ]

/ ˈtɑr tər /

noun

Dentistry. calculus(def 3).

the deposit from wines, potassium bitartrate.

the intermediate product of cream of tartar, obtained from the crude form, argol.

Nearby words

tart, tart cell, tart up, tartan, tartanry, tartar, tartar emetic, tartar sauce, tartar steak, tartarated, tartare

Origin of tartar

1350–1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin tartarum < Late Greek tártaron; replacing Middle English tartre < Middle French < Medieval Latin, as above

Definition for tartar (2 of 3)

Tartar

[ tahr-ter ]

/ ˈtɑr tər /

noun

a member of any of the various tribes, chiefly Mongolian and Turkish, who, originally under the leadership of Genghis Khan, overran Asia and much of eastern Europe in the Middle Ages.

a member of the descendants of this people variously intermingled with other peoples and tribes, now inhabiting parts of the European and W and central Asian Russian Federation.

Tatar(defs 1–3).

(often lowercase) a savage, intractable person.

(often lowercase) an ill-tempered person.

adjective

of or relating to a Tartar or Tartars; Tartarian.

Tatar(def 5).

Also Tatar (for defs 1, 2, 4, 5, 8).

Origin of Tartar

1350–1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin Tartarus, perhaps variant of Tātārus (unattested) < Persian Tātār, by association with Tartarus; replacing Middle English Tartre < Middle French < Medieval Latin, as above

Related forms

Tar·tar·ly, adverb

Definition for tartar (3 of 3)

Tartar

[ tahr-ter ]

/ ˈtɑr tər /

noun Obsolete.

Tartarus.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for tartar

To assemble taco place escabeche, fish and tartar sauce in a tortilla and garnish with cilantro and lime.
Cinco de Mayo Recipes: Tacos for One and All||May 4, 2012|DAILY BEAST
For tartar sauce combine diced onions and jalapenos with mayo and mix well.
Cinco de Mayo Recipes: Tacos for One and All||May 4, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Dissolve the sugar, water and cream of tartar in a saucepan over a low heat.
Pumpkin Seed Brittle|The Daily Beast|November 25, 2008|DAILY BEAST
Another solution for the same purpose is made with sal-ammoniac, cream of tartar, common salt and silver nitrate.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 3|Various

Suffering under the oppression of the Tartar tax collectors, the people revolted under the leadership of Alexander.
The Story of Russia|R. Van Bergen, M.A.
Add the cream of tartar to the flour after measuring and sift once more.
The Community Cook Book|Anonymous
Old John had been a Tartar, a blustering baron of the timberlands.
Joan of Arc of the North Woods|Holman Day
But, faithful in her love, she is not long in the hand of the Tartar prince.
Oriental Women|Edward Bagby Pollard

British Dictionary definitions for tartar (1 of 3)

tartar

/ (ˈtɑːtə) /

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)

tartar

/ (ˈtɑːtə) /

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)

Tartar

/ (ˈtɑːtə) /

noun, adjective

a variant spelling of Tatar

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

Medicine definitions for tartar

tartar

[ tär′tər ]

n.

A hard, yellowish deposit on the teeth, consisting of organic secretions and food particles deposited in various salts, such as calcium carbonate.dental calculus

Science definitions for tartar

tartar

[ tär′tər ]

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.