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definitions

tat

[tat]
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR tat ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with or without object), tat·ted, tat·ting.

to do, or make by, tatting.

Origin of tat

First recorded in 1900–05; back formation from tatting

TAT

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

Related Words for tat

knit, entangle, cord, secure, bind, tie, tether, loop, tat, associate, braid, connect, convolute, crisscross, cross, entwine, interlace, link, mesh, network

Examples from the Web for tat

Contemporary Examples of tat

Historical Examples of tat

  • And they think you are resolved to break theirs: so tit for tat, Miss.

    Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9)

    Samuel Richardson

  • To his uncomplicated nature the affair was still one of tit for tat.

    Fraternity

    John Galsworthy

  • The affair now had simmered down to plain temper and tit for tat.

    Desert Dust

    Edwin L. Sabin

  • Well, considering Harrison's qualifications, it might still not be tit for tat.

    Citadel

    Algirdas Jonas Budrys

  • At any rate, he turned to Cæsar, and said slowly, 'Tit for tat.

    The Hill

    Horace Annesley Vachell

British Dictionary definitions for tat

tat

1

verb tats, tatting or tatted

to make (something) by tatting

Word Origin for tat

C19: of unknown origin

tat

2

noun

tatty articles or a tatty condition
tasteless articles
a tangled mass

Word Origin for tat

C20: back formation from tatty

tat

3

noun

short for tattoo 2 (def. 2)

tat

4

noun

See tit for tat
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
Word Origin and History for tat
v.

1882, "to do tatting," back-formation from tatting.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
tat in Medicine

TAT

abbr.

Thematic Apperception Test
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Idioms and Phrases with tat

tat

see tit for tat.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.