Main Entry: ¹tar

Pronunciation: \ˈtär\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English terr, tarr, from Old English teoru; akin to Old English trēow tree — more at tree

Date: before 12th century

1 a : a dark brown or black bituminous usually odorous viscous liquid obtained by destructive distillation of organic material (as wood, coal, or peat) b : a substance in some respects resembling tar; especially : a condensable residue present in smoke from burning tobacco that contains combustion by-products (as resins, acids, phenols, and essential oils)
2 [short for tarpaulin] : sailor