tartar

¹tar·tar

noun \ˈtär-tər\

Definition of TARTAR

1

: a substance consisting essentially of cream of tartar that is derived from the juice of grapes and deposited in wine casks together with yeast and other suspended matters as a pale or dark reddish crust or sediment; especially : a recrystallized product yielding cream of tartar on further purification

2

: an incrustation on the teeth consisting of plaque that has become hardened by the deposition of mineral salts (as calcium carbonate)

Origin of TARTAR

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin tartarum

First Known Use: 14th century

Rhymes with TARTAR

barter, carter, charter, darter, garter, martyr, starter

²tartar

noun

Definition of TARTAR

1

capitalized : a native or inhabitant of Tartary

2

capitalized : tatar 2

3

often capitalized : a person of irritable or violent temper

4

: one that proves to be unexpectedly formidable

— Tartar adjective

— Tar·tar·i·an \tär-ˈter-ē-ən\ adjective

Origin of TARTAR

Middle English Tartre, from Middle French Tartare, probably from Medieval Latin Tartarus, modification of Persian Tātār — more at tatar

First Known Use: 14th century

tar·tar

noun \ˈtärt-ər\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of TARTAR

: an incrustation on the teeth consisting of plaque that has become hardened by the deposition of mineral salts (as calcium carbonate)