taw

[ taw ]

/ tɔ /

noun

a choice or fancy marble used as a shooter.

a game in which marbles are arranged in the center of a circle drawn or scratched on the ground, the object being to knock out as many as possible from the circle; ringer.

Also taw line. the line from which the players shoot.

verb (used without object)

to shoot a marble.

Nearby words

Origin of taw

First recorded in 1700–10; origin uncertain

Definition for taw (2 of 3)

taw

[ taw ]

/ tɔ /

verb (used with object)

to prepare or dress (some raw material) for use or further manipulation.

to transform the skin of an animal into white leather by the application of minerals, emulsions, etc.

Archaic. to flog; thrash.

Origin of taw

before 900; Middle English tawen, Old English tawian; cognate with Dutch touwen, Gothic taujan

Related formstaw·er, noun

Definition for taw (3 of 3)

taw

[ tahv, tawv, tahf, tawf ]

/ tɑv, tɔv, tɑf, tɔf /

noun

tav.

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

Examples from the Web for taw

It appears like we've got so far away from taw that we can't even see what-all we're aiming at.
The Quickening|Francis Lynde
When, however, the one who is on for his “pizings” manages to taw into the hole, the game is concluded.
The Traditional Games of England, Scotland, and Ireland (Vol I of II)|Alice Bertha Gomme
A line called the "taw line" is drawn a short distance from the court.
Outdoor Sports and Games|Claude H. Miller
I'm hanging on to his taw now for the past fortnight and I can't get a penny out of him.
Ulysses|James Joyce

Here, this taw is a prime one; it will win you half the marbles in the ring if you play well.
Ernest Bracebridge|William H. G. Kingston

British Dictionary definitions for taw (1 of 2)

taw

/ (tɔː) /

noun

the line from which the players shoot in marbles

back to taws Australian informal back to the beginning

a large marble used for shooting

a game of marbles

Word Origin for taw

C18: of unknown origin

British Dictionary definitions for taw (2 of 2)

taw

/ (tɔː) /

verb (tr)

to convert (skins) into white leather by treatment with mineral salts, such as alum and salt, rather than by normal tanning processes

archaic, or dialect to flog; beat

Derived Formstawer, noun

Word Origin for taw

Old English tawian; compare Old High German zouwen to prepare, Gothic taujan to make

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 taw

taw

"to prepare" (leather), from Old English tawian "to do, make," from Proto-Germanic *tawojan (cf. Old Frisian tawa, Old Saxon toian, Middle Dutch tauwen, Dutch touwen, Old High German zouwen "to prepare," Old High German zawen "to succeed," Gothic taujan "to make, prepare"), probably related to the root of Old English tol "tool" (see tool).