Definitions for tartan
ˈtɑr tntar·tan

Princeton's WordNet(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. tartan, plaidnoun

   a cloth having a crisscross design

Wiktionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Tartannoun

   The commander-in-chief of ancient Assyria.

   Etymology: From tartane, from tartana, of unceertain origin.

Webster Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Tartannoun

   woolen cloth, checkered or crossbarred with narrow bands of various colors, much worn in the Highlands of Scotland; hence, any pattern of tartan; also, other material of a similar pattern

2. Tartannoun

   a small coasting vessel, used in the Mediterranean, having one mast carrying large leteen sail, and a bowsprit with staysail or jib

Freebase(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Tartan

   Tartan is a pattern consisting of criss-crossed horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colours. Tartans originated in woven wool, but now they are made in many other materials. Tartan is particularly associated with Scotland. Scottish kilts almost always have tartan patterns. Tartan is often called plaid in North America, but in Scotland, a plaid is a tartan cloth slung over the shoulder as a kilt accessory, or in reality a plain ordinary blanket such as one would have on a bed. Tartan is made with alternating bands of coloured threads woven as both warp and weft at right angles to each other. The weft is woven in a simple twill, two over – two under the warp, advancing one thread each pass. This forms visible diagonal lines where different colours cross, which give the appearance of new colours blended from the original ones. The resulting blocks of colour repeat vertically and horizontally in a distinctive pattern of squares and lines known as a sett. The Dress Act of 1746 attempted to bring the warrior clans under government control by banning the tartan and other aspects of Gaelic culture. When the law was repealed in 1782, it was no longer ordinary Highland dress, but was adopted instead as the symbolic national dress of Scotland.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Tartan

   tär′tan, n. a woollen or worsted stuff checked with various colours, once the distinctive dress of the Scottish Highlanders, each clan having its own pattern. [Fr. tiretaine, linsey-woolsey—Sp. tiritaña, a thin woollen stuff—tiritar, to shiver.]

2. Tartan

   tär′tan, n. a Mediterranean vessel with lateen sail: a kind of long covered carriage [Fr.,—Ar. taridah, a small ship.]

Dictionary of Nautical Terms(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. tartan

   A small coasting vessel of the Mediterranean, with one mast and a bowsprit, lateen-rigged.

Matched Categories

1. • Fabric

Anagrams for tartan »

1. tantra

2. rattan

How to pronounce tartan?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say tartan in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of tartan in Chaldean Numerology is: 8

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of tartan in Pythagorean Numerology is: 2

Examples of tartan in a Sentence

1. Doug Stephen:

   One of the most difficult things in general was developing software that was good enough to do all of those things without falling down, especially as a walking robot, both Kaist and [Tartan Rescue’s] CHIMP relied on wheels and tracks most of the time to move around because it’s safer, and we walked everywhere. In general, the hardest thing is figuring out how to not fall down, especially with no safety lines.

Images & Illustrations of tartan

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