tan

¹tan

verb \ˈtan\

tannedtan·ning

Definition of TAN

transitive verb

1

a : to convert (hide) into leather by treatment with an infusion of tannin-rich bark or other agent of similar effect b : to convert (protein) to leather or a similar substance

2

: to make (skin) tan especially by exposure to the sun

3

: thrash, whip

intransitive verb

: to get or become tanned

Examples of TAN

1. He threatened to tan my hide if I didn't do what he told me to do.
2. <Grandpa told us that when he was a kid, if he misbehaved at all, his father would tan his backside with a belt.>

Origin of TAN

Middle English tannen, from Anglo-French tanner, from Medieval Latin tannare, from tanum, tannum tanbark

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to TAN

Synonyms: birch, cowhide, flagellate, flail, flog, hide, horsewhip, lash, leather, rawhide, scourge, slash, switch, whip, thrash, whale

Related Words: knout, quirt, strap; cut; flick, touch up; blackjack, cane, club, cudgel, fustigate; pistol-whip; bang, bop, box, bust, clap, clip, clobber, clout, crack, cuff, hit, knock, lam, paste, punch, slap, slug, smack, smite, sock, spank, swat, swipe, thwack, wallop, whack; bash, baste, bat, batter, beat, belabor, belt, bludgeon, buffet, bung, drub, fib [British], hammer, lace, lambaste (or lambast), lather, lick, mangle, maul, paddle, pelt, pommel, pound, pummel, rough, slate, slog, thresh, thump, tromp, whop (or whap), whup, work over

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with TAN

an, ban, bran, can, clan, Dan, fan, flan, Jan, Klan, man, pan, Pan, panne, plan, scan, Shan, span, van, Van