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

Rhymes with TAN

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

²tan

adjective

tan·nertan·nest

Definition of TAN

1

: of, relating to, or used for tan or tanning

2

: of the color tan

Examples of TAN

1. I can't believe how tan she is!
2. a horse with tan markings

First Known Use of TAN

1586

³tan

noun

Definition of TAN

1

: a tanning material or its active agent (as tannin)

2

: a brown color imparted to the skin especially by exposure to the sun

3

: a light yellowish brown

4

plural : tan-colored articles of clothing

Examples of TAN

1. I got a tan on my vacation.

Origin of TAN

French, tanbark, from Old French, from Medieval Latin tanum

First Known Use: 1674

⁴tan

abbreviation

Definition of TAN

tangent