suntann.adj.
/ˈsʌntan/, U.S. /ˈsənˌtæn/ A. n.
1. Tanning or browning of the skin caused by exposure to the sun or a sunlamp, or artificially produced by a cosmetic preparation; an instance of this, a tan. Cf. tan n.1 3b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > skin > complexion > tan > [noun]
tanning1598
sunburntness1692
tawn1744
tan1749
sunniness1753
suntan1809
tannage1845
snow-tan1901
sea-tan1902
perma-tan1984
the world > matter > colour > named colours > brown or brownness > making or becoming brown > [noun] > becoming bronze > by exposure
suntan1809
1809 Bury & Norwich Post 10 May (advt.) A cleanser and beautifyer of the skin...may be used with the utmost safety on complexions the most fair and delicate for the removal of sun-tan, freckles, &c.
1873 Galaxy Apr. 499/2 Her neck and shoulders look lily fair, compared to the sun tan of her face.
1904 Westm. Gaz. 28 Dec. 2/1 It was plain where the brown of sun-tan shaded into the clothes-covered white.
1958 M. K. Joseph I'll soldier no More xiii. 237 They're just out for a bit of suntan.
1980 W. Lancs. Evening Gaz. 11 Aug. 10 (advt.) A guaranteed suntan without sunburn.
2005 Independent 21 Apr. 13/3 Hey Rusty, where did you get your suntan from?
2. A light brown or golden-brown colour. Cf. tan n.1 3a.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > colour > named colours > brown or brownness > [noun] > light brown
dust-colour1607
milk chocolate1723
café au lait1763
whitey-brown1858
biscuit1879
rachel1880
bisque1891
lobster bisque1895
toast-colour1898
parchment1904
toast1922
suntan1923
milk coffee1972
1923 Princeton (Indiana) Daily Democrat 11 June 8/3 Fancy Sennits in sun tan and white.
1976 Horse & Hound 3 Dec. 17 (advt.) Deep pile Borg washable numnah, foam filled... Cream or suntan.
2016 Daily Tel. (Nexis) 19 Oct. 23 Ladder resist tights... Available in eight different shades, including..suntan (golden brown).
3. U.S. In plural.
a. A light brown, lightweight summer uniform worn by United States military personnel, esp. in the 1930s and 1940s. Cf. khaki n. a. Now historical.
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the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > [noun] > for specific people > for members of a body or association > naval, military, etc. > types of
regimentals1728
undress1748
regiments1759
regimental1764
dress uniform1774
kit1785
roast beef coat1802
butternut1810
frock-uniform1810
fatigue-dress1834
fatigue1836
fatigue-uniform1836
shirtsleeve order1854
grey1862
scarlet runnerc1864
square-rig1875
rig of the day1877
swagger-dress1901
trench coat1914
hospital blue1919
romper1922
suntan1937
battle-dress1938
army greens1945
mess kit1953
tiger suit1970
1937 Amer. Speech 12 75/1 Suntans, summer uniform, made of lightweight material with sheen.
1942 Amana (Iowa) Soc. Bull. 10 Sept. 3/2 By the time all of the boys have arrived the streets are almost a solid block of suntans.
1989 P. Fussell Wartime vii. 90 A man in filthy suntans is reprimanded for the state of his uniform by a major.
2016 P. Jensen Life can be Interesting i. 19 He saw another soldier in his Class-A Sun Tans looking very down-trodden.
b. Light brown trousers forming part of this uniform. Also: similar trousers worn as casual wear. Now somewhat rare (historical in military use).
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the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > clothing for legs > clothing for legs and lower body > [noun] > trousers > types of > other
whites1582
trouse1612
pantaloon1661
trousers1676
sherryvallies1778
Wellington trousers1809
panties1845
prolongations1849
pettiloons1851
overtrousers1852
churidar1880
continuation1883
high water1898
sponge bag trousers1900
sponge bag1911
pettibockers1917
hip-hugger1939
pink1942
suntan1943
samfu trousers1955
hipsters1958
low riders1966
Mao trousers1967
bumsters1993
1943 Salt Lake Tribune 17 Mar. 23/4 The signal corps boys just wore their sweatshirts and suntans.
1958 E. Dundy Dud Avocado i. i. 7 The Left Bank uniform of the day, dark wool shirt and a pair of old Army suntans.
1986 R. Ford Sportswriter iii. 75 The tallish, bookish Memphian meant for a wider world—brushcut, droopy suntans, white bucks.
2011 E. Edson Facets of Love iv. 47 He hung his T-shirt and suntans in the closet.
B. adj.
Designating a light-brown or golden-brown colour; (esp. of clothing) having such a colour. Cf. tan adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > colour > named colours > brown or brownness > [adjective] > light brown
parchment1597
whited brown1650
whitey-brown1658
coffee-coloured1695
dust-coloured1800
ochre-brown1853
blonde1866
biscuit1875
weedy-brown1886
mousy1888
bisque1890
toast-coloured1898
suntan1923
sunblush1930
rachel1951
1923 Evening Tribune (Albert Lea, Minnesota) 15 Mar. 6/2 A sport suit in the new suntan shade.
1928 Anaconda (Montana) Standard 3 Mar. 13/2 With the ensemble is worn..the popular sun-tan stockings and maroon glace kid shoes.
1953 Life 8 June 107/1 (advt.) Also in Cherry leather and wheat mesh, turftan leather and suntan mesh.
2000 Toronto Star (Nexis) 23 Jan. Both egg dishes come with a good-sized serving of homefries of burnished suntan colour.
2014 Pittsburgh (Pa.) Post-Gaz. (Nexis) 25 Nov. d5 Old-fashioned suntan pantyhose has reached its expiration date.
Compounds
attributive. Designating preparations and products which provide protection against sunburn and promote suntanning, as suntan cream, suntan lotion, suntan oil, etc.In quot 1916.: a preparation for the removal of suntan.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > beautification of the person > beautification of the skin or complexion > [adjective] > relating to preparations > relating to cosmetics used to promote tanning
suntan1916
1916 Salt Lake Tribune 2 July 10/5 (advt.) Viall's Freckle and Sun Tan Lotion..50c.
1929 Manitowoc (Wisconsin) Herald-News 2 July 8/6 (advt.) Suntan lotion protects her from becoming sunburned.
1934 Beautycraft July 19/1 To acquire a brown, healthy skin..it must be anointed plentifully with one of the good Sun-tan oils now on the market.
1976 P. Parish Medicines ii. xli. 242 The effectiveness of suntan applications is..related to their ability to cut out the burning effects of the sun's rays.
1992 I. Pattison More Rab C. Nesbitt Scripts 54 (stage direct.) On deck a couple of girls are smearing themselves with suntan oil.
1997 Sunday Tel. 15 June (Rx Mag.) 38/1 She wore a topless bikini and insisted on my putting suntan lotion on her back.
2007 Independent on Sunday 5 Aug. (New Review) 51/2 Fragrance lovers will prefer cocoa butter, another tropical nut oil that turns up in suntan cream because of its delicious smell.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, January 2018; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
suntanv.
/ˈsʌntan/, U.S. /ˈsənˌtæn/ 1. intransitive. To expose oneself to the sun or a sunlamp, in order to acquire a suntan.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > heat > heating or making hot > subjection or exposure to heat or fire > be subjected or exposed to heat or fire [verb (intransitive)] > expose oneself to sun > in order to tan
sunbake1907
suntan1911
1911 Fort Worth (Texas) Star-Telegram 6 Aug. 6/7 Miss Mary Kern has returned from sun-tanning at the McNatt ranch.
1976 ‘B. Shelby’ Great Pebble Affair 117 Donnely and I were suntanning on the roof.
2014 K. Lobb We picked Up xxviii. 238 Three blonds..were suntanning on their stomachs with their tops undone.
2. transitive. To expose (oneself or a part of the body) to the sun or a sunlamp, in order to acquire a suntan; to cause to become suntanned. Cf. tan v. 2a.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > heat > heating or making hot > subjection or exposure to heat or fire > subject or expose to heat or fire [verb (reflexive)] > to sun > so as to tan
suntan1932
1932 Sun (Baltimore) 5 Sept. 6/2 The millions busy today suntanning themselves, picnicking in the country.
1962 R. E. Gard & L. G. Sorden Wisconsin Lore i. 44 A University boy and coed companion were..suntanning their backs at the end of a fraternity house pier.
1989 L. Thetford in H. Maurer Strange Ground v. 193 The lieutenant was a Ranger and a West Point graduate, and all he did was suntan himself.
2014 M. Herrick Walking Home 178 He wanted to suntan his white feet.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, January 2018; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.adj.1809
v.1911