tau

[ tou, taw for 1, 2, 4; tahv, tawv for 3 ]

/ taʊ, tɔ for 1, 2, 4; tɑv, tɔv for 3 /

noun

the 19th letter of the Greek alphabet (T, τ).

the consonant sound represented by this letter.

Also tau·on [tou-on] /ˈtaʊ ɒn/. Physics. tau lepton.

Also called tau protein. Biochemistry. a protein that is an important component of nerve cells, helping to maintain their function and structure: in the brain, distortions in the protein’s molecular shape is associated with the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.

Nearby words

tatty, tatum, tatum, art, tatum, edward lawrie, tatung, tau, tau cross, tau lepton, tau neutrino, tau particle, taubaté

Origin of tau

1250–1300; Middle English < Latin < Greek taû < Semitic; cf. tav

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

Examples from the Web for tau

One of these things is tau, another protein used in cells to hold open channels so they can receive nutrients.
Twenty Years of Alzheimer’s Research May Have Focused on the Wrong Protein|Elizabeth Lopatto|April 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Gray broke the color barrier when he pledged Tau Epsilon Phi.
A Talk with D.C.'s New Mayor|Sandra McElwaine|November 2, 2010|DAILY BEAST
"You seem very certain we are not going to be rescued if we stay right here," Tau observed.
Voodoo Planet|Andre Norton
The gallows from which he is suspended forms a Tau cross, while the figure—from the position of the legs—forms a fylfot cross.
The Illustrated Key to the Tarot|L. W. de Laurence

Mura produced a small flask and Tau opened it, passing it to Captain Jellico and so from hand to hand about the room.
Plague Ship|Andre Norton
Delta and Tau, from the compression of the tongue, imitate stoppage of motion, or stationary condition.
Plato and the Other Companions of Sokrates, 3rd ed. Volume III (of 4)|George Grote
But Tau was swaying so that Dane leaped to take the shock of the other's weight as he collapsed.
Voodoo Planet|Andre Norton

British Dictionary definitions for tau

tau

/ (tɔː, taʊ) /

noun

the 19th letter in the Greek alphabet (Τ, τ), a consonant, transliterated as t

Word Origin for tau

C13: via Latin from Greek, of Semitic origin; see tav

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 tau

tau

nineteenth letter of the Greek alphabet, from Hebrew taw, last letter of the Hebrew alphabet, literally "sign, mark."

Medicine definitions for tau

tau

n.

The 19th letter of the Greek alphabet.