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tat

1
[ tat ]
/ tæt /
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See synonyms for tat on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with or without object), tat·ted, tat·ting.
to do tatting, or make (knotted lace) by tatting.
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Origin of tat

1
First recorded in 1900–05; back formation from tatting

Other definitions for tat (2 of 3)

tat2
[ tat ]
/ tæt /
Informal.
noun
a pattern, words, or piece of art inked indelibly into the skin by making punctures in it and inserting pigments; tattoo: She was normally proud of her tats, but she wore long-sleeved blouses to cover them while interviewing for elementary school teaching positions.
verb (used with or without object), tat·ted, tat·ting.
to mark (the skin) with tattoos, or put (tattoos) on the skin (often followed by up): I want to get really tatted up, but I’m planning each piece carefully and taking my time—you only get one canvas for this art.

Origin of tat

2
First recorded in 1980–85; shortening of tattoo2

Other definitions for tat (3 of 3)

TAT
abbreviation Psychology.
Thematic Apperception Test.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to tat

knit, bind, cord, entangle, loop, secure, tether, tie, associate, braid, connect, convolute, cross, entwine, interknit, interlace, intertwist, intervolve, interwind, interwreathe

How to use tat in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for tat (1 of 4)

tat1
/ (tæt) /
verb tats, tatting or tatted
to make (something) by tatting

Word Origin for tat

C19: of unknown origin

British Dictionary definitions for tat (2 of 4)

tat2
/ (tæt) /
noun
tatty articles or a tatty condition
tasteless articles
a tangled mass

Word Origin for tat

C20: back formation from tatty

British Dictionary definitions for tat (3 of 4)

tat3
/ (tæt) /
noun
short for tattoo 2 (def. 2)

British Dictionary definitions for tat (4 of 4)

tat4
/ (tæt) /
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

Other 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.
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