tartar1
/ˈtɑːtə
/noun [mass noun]
1A hard calcified deposit that forms on the teeth and contributes to their decay.Tooth decay, fillings and tartar build-up can also all contribute to discolouration....
- When plaque is allowed to remain on the teeth for too long, it collects close to the gums and turns into a hard substance called tartar.
- This prevents a buildup of plaque and tartar on the teeth.
1.1A deposit of impure potassium hydrogen tartrate formed during the fermentation of wine.Add the tartar and bicarbonate of soda, the sugar and the milk soured with lemon juice.
Derivatives
tartaric
- Ten ml of juice were sampled, rapidly sterilized by autoclaving, and stored at room temperature to prevent mono potassium tartaric salt precipitation until the preparation of the samples for C measurements.
Origin
Late Middle English: via medieval Latin from medieval Greek tartaron, of unknown origin.
Rhymes
Tartar2
/ˈtɑːtə/noun
1A member of the combined forces of central Asian peoples, including Mongols and Turks, who under the leadership of Genghis Khan conquered much of Asia and eastern Europe in the early 13th century, and under Tamerlane (14th century) established an empire with its capital at Samarkand. See also Tatar.Romania's new minorities included substantial communities of Ukrainians, Bulgarians, gypsies, Germans, Hungarians, Tartars, Turks, and Jews....
- Saracens themselves, and Italians, and Russians, were attentive to the multitudes of Mongols and Tartars.
- At different times Stalin conducted mass arrests of Poles, Balts, Chechens, Tartars and on the eve of his death - Jews.
1.1 (tartar) A harsh, fierce, or intractable person: my new Company Commander is a horrible tartar...
- The Dromard No.14 is indeed a fine footballer but caught a real tartar in Knockbeg full-back Paddy Kelly, whose tackling, harrying and blocking continuously frustrated the Longford ace.
- However he caught a tartar in the form of Sandyhill Jo 9 / 2.
- He was not such a tartar after all.
Derivatives
Tartarian
- The region filled up with people after the Tartarian invasion.
Origin
From Old French Tartare or medieval Latin Tartarus, alteration (influenced by Tartarus) of Tatar.