Etymology dictionary
T
T — tail (v.)
T
twentieth letter of the English alphabet; in the Phoenician alphabet the corresponding sign was the 22nd and last; all beyond T in the modern alphabet represents European alterations or additions. The sound has been consistent throughout its history. The letter formerly was branded on the hand of a convicted thief. Also compare th.
In Late Latin and Old French, -t- before -e- and -i- acquired the "s" value of -c- and words appeared in both spellings (nationem/nacionem) and often passed into Middle English with a -c- (nacioun). In most of these the spelling was restored to a -t- by or during early Modern English. Edmund Coote's "English Schoole-maister" (1596) still has malicious/malitious; and a few words well-established in the old spelling (space, place, coercion, suspicion) resisted restoration.
The pronunciation shift in -tu- words in southern English, to "-shu-" (nature, actually), was noticed by c. 1900.
To cross one's t's (and dot one's i's) "be exact" is attested from 1849. Phrase to a T "exactly, with utmost exactness" is recorded from 1690s, though the exact signification remains uncertain despite much speculation. The measuring tool called a T-square (sometimes suggested as the source of this) is recorded by that name only from 1785.
In medicine, the T-cell (1970) is so called because the cells are derived from the thymus. As a medieval numeral, T represented 160.
ta
1772, "natural infantile sound of gratitude" [Weekley].
tab (n.1)
"small flap or strip of material made fast to an object at one edge" for use in pulling, hanging, etc., c. 1600; of uncertain origin, possibly from a dialectal word. It is often interchangeable with tag (n.1). Middle English had tabbe "strap or string" (mid-15c.), for which Middle English Compendium compares Norwegian dialectal tave "piece of cloth, rag."
As a built-in opening device on a can, by 1963.
tab (n.2)
"account, bill, check," 1888, American English colloquial, probably a shortened form of tabulation or of tablet in the sense of "sheet for writing."
The figurative phrase keep tabs on "keep a (written) account or record of" is by 1886; in baseball reporting to keep tab was to "keep score" (1882).
tab (n.3)
1969, short for tab key (1916) of a typewriter (later computer); a short form of tabulator. As "pill, lozenge" it is by 1961, shortened form of tablet (in the later 1960s and after especially one of sugar containing LSD). As an abbreviation of tabloid (newspaper) it is 1990s slang. As a short form of tabulator key of a typewriter (later computer) it is recorded from 1916.
tab (v.)
1924, "designate, label, name," in underworld slang; also "to watch, keep an eye on" (1926); earlier "affix a tab to" 1872 (implied in tabbed), from various senses of tab (n.1), in some uses perhaps an alteration of tag (v.2). Related: Tabbing.
tabacco (n.)
obsolete form of tobacco. In pharmacy tabacum was "tobacco in the natural dried state."
tabagie (n.)
"group of smokers who meet club-fashion; a tobacco-parliament;" 1819, from French tabagie (17c.), from tabac "tobacco" (see tobacco); also see -age. In German, a Rauchkneipe.
tabard (n.)
"sleeveless overgarment," c. 1300 (late 13c. as a surname), from Old French tabart "simple sleeveless overtunic," also "heavy over-mantel" (12c.), a word of unknown origin; Diez suggests Latin tapete "figured cloth." Compare Medieval Latin tabardum, early Spanish tabardo, Italian tabarro.
Originally a coarse, sleeveless upper garment worn by peasants, monks, and others who worked out-of-doors; later a knight's surcoat, richly adorned (mid-15c.).
The name of the tavern in "Canterbury Tales." Middle English Compendium points to another Middle English tabard meaning "small tank for holding ale or rainwater."
Tabasco
state in Mexico, from an unidentified Mexican indigenous language and of unknown etymology.
As the proprietary name of a type of hot sauce, by 1876, (the sauce so called from 1650s, originally Tavasco), named for the state perhaps because the pepper sauce was first encountered there by European travelers. The trademark (by Edward Avery McIlhenny) claims use from c. 1870.
tabby (n.)
1630s, "silken stuff; striped silk taffeta" (tabbies was a general name for watered silk), from French tabis "a rich, watered silk" (originally striped), earlier atabis (14c.), via Mediterranean languages from Arabic 'attabi, from 'Attabiyah, a neighborhood of Baghdad where such cloth was made. The place is said to be named for prince 'Attab of the Omayyad dynasty.
As an adjective from 1630s, "made of tabby;" by 1660s as "resembling tabby," hence tabby cat, one with a striped coat, attested from 1690s. The shortened form tabby for the cat is attested by 1774. "The wild original of the domestic cat is always of such coloration" [Century Dictionary].
In the shifted sense of "female cat" (1826) it was alliteratively paired with (and distinguished from) Tom (see tomcat). The use also might have been suggested by Tabby, a pet form of the fem. proper name Tabitha, which also was late 18c. slang for "spiteful spinster, difficult old woman" (as in Tabbyhood "condition of being an old maid," 1793).
In World War I military slang and after in U.K. a Tabby could mean "a pretty girl."
tabbouli (n.)
also tabouli, tabbouleh, Middle Eastern vegetable salad, 1955, from Arabic tabbula.
tabes (n.)
in pathology, "progressive emaciation," 1650s, medical Latin, from Latin tabes "a melting, wasting away, putrefaction," from tabere "to melt, waste away, be consumed" (according to Watkins, from PIE root *tā- "to melt, dissolve" (see thaw (v.)).
Related: Tabefaction (17c.) from earlier tabefy "to rot, putrefy" (Chauliac, early 15c.); also tabefacte (adj.) "rotted, putrefied." Tabescent, tabid. tabific, tabetic seem to be 19c. dictionary words.
tabernacle (n.)
mid-13c., "portable sanctuary carried by the Israelites in the wilderness," from Old French tabernacle "the Jewish Tabernacle; tent, canopy; tomb, monument" (12c.), from Latin tabernaculum "tent," especially "a tent of an augur" (for taking observations), diminutive of taberna "hut, cabin, booth" (see tavern).
The sense of the word in English shifted by late 14c. to "the Temple in Jerusalem" (which continued the function of the tabernacle). Also in Biblical language, "the body as the temporary abode of the soul" (late 14c.). By late 15c. as a name for a receptacle for the eucharist.
The sense of "house of worship" (generally a temporary one or somehow otherwise distinguished from a church) is by 1690s; especially in reference to places of worship for Nonconformists (1768).
The Old Testament Feast of Tabernacles (mid-October) was observed as a thanksgiving for harvest. This was rendered in English c. 1400 as Feste of Logges ("lodges"). Related: Tabernacular. A late 15c. adjective was tabernaculid "covered with a canopy."
Tabitha
fem. proper name, from Late Latin, from Greek Tabitha, from Aramaic (Semitic) tabhyetha, emphatic of tabhya "gazelle," which is related to Hebrew tzebhi (fem. tzebhiyyah), Arabic zaby.
table (n.)
Middle English, from Old French table, tabel "board, square panel, plank; writing table; picture; food, fare" (11c.), and also a survival of late Old English tabele "flat and relatively thin surface of some hard material," especially "writing tablet (of slabs of wood, etc.,), gaming table," also "top of an altar, part of a pavement;" in late Old English "tablet intended for an inscription." The Old English word is from Germanic *tabal (source also of Dutch tafel, Danish tavle, Old High German zabel "board, plank," German Tafel).
Both the French and Germanic words are from Latin tabula "a board, plank; writing table; list, schedule; picture, painted panel," originally "small flat slab or piece" usually for inscriptions or for games (source also of Spanish tabla, Italian tavola), a word of uncertain origin, related to Umbrian tafle "on the board."
The sense of "piece of furniture consisting of a flat top on legs" is by c. 1300. The usual Latin word for this was mensa (see mensa); Old English writers used bord (see board (n.1)).
Especially the table at which people eat, hence "food placed upon a table" (c. 1400 in English). The meaning "columnar arrangement of words, numbers or other figures on a tabular surface for convenience" is recorded from late 14c. (as in table of contents, which is from mid-15c.).
The figurative phrase turn the tables (1630s) is from backgammon (in Middle English the game was called tables). Table talk "familiar conversation around a table" is attested from 1560s, translating Latin colloquia mensalis. Table manners is from 1824. Table-hopping is recorded by 1943. For under the table see under (prep.). Table-wine, suitable for drinking at a meal, is by 1670s. Table tennis "ping-pong" is recorded from 1887. Table-rapping in spiritualism, supposedly an effect of supernatural powers, is from 1853.
tables (n.)
"backgammon," late 13c., plural of table (n.). Plural in reference to the folding halves of the board.
table (v.)
mid-15c., tablen, "enter (someone's name) into a list," thus, "appoint to a duty;" also "provide with food," from various senses in table (n.).
In a parliamentary sense, 1718, originally "to lay on the (Speaker's) table for discussion;" the Speaker's table (attested by 1670s) of the House of Commons being where motions are received. But in U.S. political jargon it has chiefly the sense of "postpone indefinitely" (1866) via notion of "lay aside for future consideration." Related: Tabled; tabling.
tabla (n.)
pair of drums used in northern Indian music, 1865, from Hindi, from Arabic tabl "a drum played with the hand."
tablature (n.)
type of musical notation for lute or stringed instrument, 1570s, from French tablature (1550s), from Italian tavolatura (also Medieval Latin tabulatura), from Late Latin tabulare, from Latin tabula "table, list, schedule" (see table (n.)). "It differed from the more general staff-notation in that it aimed to express not so much the pitch of the notes intended as the mechanical process by which on the particular instrument those tones were to be produced" [Century Dictionary].
tableau (n.)
1690s, "a picturesque or graphic description or picture," from French tableau "picture, painting" (12c., plural tableaux), from Old French table "slab, writing tablet" (see table (n.)) + diminutive suffix -eau, from Latin -ellus.
Hence tableau-vivant (1817) "person or persons silent and motionless, enacting a well-known scene, incident, painting, etc.," 19c. parlor game, literally "living picture."
tablecloth (n.)
also table-cloth, "cloth for covering the top of a table," mid-15c., from table (n.) + cloth.
table-d'hote (n.)
"common table for guests at a hotel," French, table-d'hôte, "table of the host" (OED 2nd ed. print; Century Dictionary has it "table of the guest"); see table (n.) + host (n.).
table-land (n.)
a considerable region, elevated and generally level, 1690s, from table (n.) + land (n.). Table is attested from mid-15c. as "cleared, smoothed tract of land ready for planting."
table-spoon (n.)
also tablespoon, "spoon used in table-service," larger than a tea-spoon or dessert spoon, 1751, from table (n.) + spoon (n.).
tablet (n.)
c. 1300, "small, portable slab of durable material, often covered in wax in which writing was incised; flat surface for an inscription" (originally especially the two Mosaic tables of stone), from Old French tablete "small table, merchant's display counter" (13c., Modern French tablette), diminutive of table "slab," or from Medieval Latin tabuleta (source also of Spanish tableta, Italian tavoletta), diminutive of Latin tabula (see table (n.)).
From late 14c. as "flat surface for painting or engraving." The meaning "small, flattish cake of some solid medicinal substance" is by early 15c. The meaning "pad of writing or blotting paper" is by 1880. The classical Latin diminutive was tabella "little board, tablet; ballot, legal paper," and this sometimes was used in English in the pharmacological sense (1690s).
table-top (adj.)
"that can be done or used on a table top," 1914, from the noun phrase; see table (n.) + top (n.1).
tableware (n.)
also table-ware, "ware for use at the table," 1772, from table (n.) + ware (n.).
tabloid (n.)
1884, Tabloid, "small tablet of medicine," trademark name (by Burroughs, Wellcome and Co.) for compressed or concentrated chemicals and drugs, a hybrid formed from tablet + Greek-derived suffix -oid.
By 1898, it was being used figuratively to mean a compressed form or dose of anything, hence tabloid journalism (1900), simplified and, in the negative view, sensationalized, and tabloid (n.) in reference to newspapers that typified it (1901).
The concept and word were associated originally with British publishing magnate Alfred C. Harmsworth (1865-1922), editor and proprietor of the London Daily Mail. Harmsworth's use was in reference to the short, condensed news articles; by others it might be felt as referring to the newspaper itself being smaller than a broadsheet.
taboo (adj.)
also tabu, 1777 (in Cook's "A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean"), "consecrated, inviolable, forbidden, unclean or cursed; prohibited to a certain class," explained in some English sources as being from Tongan (Polynesian language of the island of Tonga) ta-bu "sacred," from ta "mark" + bu "especially." But this may be folk etymology, as linguists in the Pacific have reconstructed an irreducable Proto-Polynesian *tapu, from Proto-Oceanic *tabu "sacred, forbidden" (compare Hawaiian kapu "taboo, prohibition, sacred, holy, consecrated;" Tahitian tapu "restriction, sacred, devoted; an oath;" Maori tapu "be under ritual restriction, prohibited").
The noun ("prohibitory restraining injunction") and verb ("to put under taboo") are English innovations first recorded in Cook's account [OED, 2nd ed., 1989].
tabor (n.)
also tabour, "small drum resembling a tamborine," c. 1300, from Old French tabour, tabur "drum; din, noise, commotion" (11c.), probably from Persian tabir "drum;" compare tambourine.
Also in Middle English as a verb, "beat a drum" (late 14c.). Taborner "drummer" is attested from late 13c. as a surname. Middle English had tabortete "a small drum."
Tabriz
style of carpet or rug, by 1900, from the name of the city in northwest Iran.
tabulator (n.)
"one who tabulates," 1848, agent noun in Latin form from tabulate. Also "a maker of statistical tables;" also in mechanical computation (1892).
tabulation (n.)
"act or process of making tabular arrangements," 1803, noun of action from tabulate (v.). Latin tabulationem meant "a flooring over." Tabularization (1853) seems to be mostly a dictionary word.
tabulate (v.)
"put into form of a table, collect or arrange in columns," 1734, from Latin tabula (see table (n.)) + -ate (2). Earlier in a more literal sense, "give a flat surface to, lay a floor" (Blount, 1650s). Related: Tabulated; tabulating.
tabular (adj.)
1650s, "table-shaped," from French tabulaire or directly from Latin tabularis "of a slab or tablet, of boards or planks," from tabula "slab" (see table (n.)). The meaning "arranged in a list or columns; ascertained or computed by means of tables" is from 1710.
tabula rasa (n.)
"the mind in its primary state," 1530s, from Latin tabula rasa, literally "scraped tablet," from which writing has been erased, thus "blank and ready to be written on," from tabula (see table (n.)) + rasa, fem. past participle of radere "to scrape away, erase" (see raze (v.)).
A loan-translation of Aristotle's pinakis agraphos, literally "unwritten tablet" ("De anima," 7.22). Compare modern colloquial blank slate, etc. in similar senses.
tace
"be silent!" Latin imperative of tacere "to be silent" (see tacit). The expression Tace is Latin for candle (1690s) was "a humorously veiled hint to any one to keep silent about something" [OED, 2nd ed. print, 1989].
tacet
musical instruction indicating silence of an instrument or voice, 1724, from Latin tacet "is silent," third person singular present indicative of tacere "be silent" (see tacit).
tachy-
word-forming element of Greek origin, used from mid-19c. and meaning "rapid, swift, fast," from Latinized combining form of Greek takhys "swift, rapid, hasty," related to takhos "speed, swiftness," a word of uncertain origin (Beekes: "The etymology remains unclear.").
tacho-
word-forming element of Greek origin meaning "speed," often short for tachometer, ultimately from Latinized form of Greek takhos "speed, swiftness, fleetness, velocity," which Beekes calls a derivative of takhys "swift," a word of unknown origin.
tachometer (n.)
also tacheometer, "speed-measuring instrument for a machine or engine," 1810, coined by its inventor, Bryan Donkin (1768-1855), from tacho- "speed" + -meter. Related: Tachometry.
tachycardia (n.)
"rapid heartbeat," 1868, Modern Latin, coined 1867 by German-born physician Hermann Lebert (1813-1878) from tachy- "swift" + Latinized form of Greek kardia "heart" (from PIE root *kerd- "heart").
tachygraphy (n.)
"shorthand, stenography, the art of writing in abbreviations," 1640s, from Latinized form of Greek takhygraphia, from takhys "swift" (see tachy-) + -graphia (see -graphy). Related: Tachygraphic; tachygrapher (1849) "stenographer, short-hand taker" (modern or ancient; compare Tironian); tachygraphist (1825).
tachymeter (n.)
surveying instrument for rapidly locating position, 1836, from tachy- "swift" + -meter. Related: Tachymetry.
tachyon (n.)
hypothetical faster-than-light particle, 1967, from tachy- "swift" + -on.
tachypnea (n.)
"hysterical rapid breathing," 1896, from tachy- "swift" + -pnea, from pnein "to breathe" (see pneuma). Related: Tachypneic.
tacit (adj.)
c. 1600, "unspoken, noiseless, wordless; saying nothing, silent," by 1630s as "silently indicated or implied (in tacit approving), from French tacite and directly from Latin tacitus "that is passed over in silence, done without words, assumed as a matter of course, silent," past participle of tacere "be silent, not speak." The is reconstructed (Watkins) to be from a suffixed form of PIE root *tak- "to be silent," source also of Gothic þahan, Old Norse þegja "to be silent," Old Norse þagna "to grow dumb," Old Saxon thagian, Old High German dagen "to be silent." Related: Tacitly.
taciturnity (n.)
mid-15c., taciturnite, "disinclination to talk, failure to speak," from Old French taciturnité and directly from Latin taciturnitatem (nominative taciturnitas) "a being or keeping silent," from taciturnus "disposed to be silent," from tacitus "silent" (see tacit).
taciturn (adj.)
"habitually silent, reserved in speech," 1650s, back-formation from taciturnity, or from French taciturne (15c.), from Latin taciturnus "not talkative; noiseless."
tack (v.2)
1550s, intransitive, "turn a ship's course toward the wind at an angle" by shifting the tacks of the sails, 1550s, from tack (n.1) in the ship-rigging sense. The ropes were used to move the vessel temporarily to one side or another of its general line of course in order to take advantage of a side-wind. The figurative sense of "change one's course" is from 1630s. Related: Tacked; tacking.
tack (n.2)
"horse's harness, etc.," 1924, shortening of tackle (n.) in sense of "equipment." Tack in a non-equestrian sense as a shortening of tackle is recorded in dialect from 1777.
tack (n.1)
[clasp, hook, fastener] late 13c., from Old North French taque "nail, pin, peg" (Old French tache, 12c., "nail, spike, tack; pin brooch"), which is probably from a Germanic source (compare Middle Dutch tacke "twig, spike," Frisian tak "a tine, prong, twig, branch," Low German takk "tine, pointed thing," German Zacken "sharp point, tooth, prong"), according to Watkins from Proto-Germanic *tag- (compare tag).
Specifically as "short, sharp-pointed nail with a flat head" by mid-15c.
In sailing by late 14c.; specifically meaning "rope or hooked wire to hold the lower corner of a sail in place" by late 15c. The extended sense of "course of a ship in relation to the position of her sails" is by 1610s. Hence the figurative use for "tactical procedure, course of conduct or mode of action suited to some purpose" (1670s), attested earlier in the verb (1630s). The notion is "temporary change in direction to take advantage of a side-wind."
tack (v.1)
late 14c., transitive, "attach" with a tack, nail, etc., "join or secure by temporary fastening," from tack (n.1). The meaning "attach as a supplement" (with suggestion of hasty or arbitrary proceeding) is from 1680s. Related: Tacked; tacking.
tack (n.3)
"food" in general, but in dialect especially "bad food" or "food for animals," especially among sailors "food of a bread kind," 1830 (implied in hardtack), perhaps a shortening and special use of tackle (n.) in the sense of "gear."
tack-hammer (n.)
"small, light hammer used to drive tacks," often with a claw as well, for drawing them, 1848, from tack (n.1) + hammer (n.).
tacky (adj.2)
"in poor taste," 1888, from an earlier sense of "shabby, seedy" (1862); an adjectival use of tackey, tackie (n.) "ill-fed or neglected horse; pony or little horse of low price" (by 1800), a word of uncertain origin. The wild horses of Chincoteague on the Eastern Shore were called marsh tackies by 1878. The noun also was extended to persons in like condition: "hillbilly, cracker" (1888). Related: Tackily; tackiness.
tacky (adj.1)
"sticky, adhesive," 1788, from tack (n.1) in the sense of "an act of attaching temporarily" + -y (2). Related: Tackiness "stickiness."
tackle (v.)
mid-14c., takelen, "entangle, involve," from tackle (n.). Originally figurative; the sense of "to furnish (a ship) with tackles" in preparation for sailing is from c. 1400. The meaning "harness a horse" is recorded from 1714.
The meaning "lay hold of, come to grips with, attack" is attested from 1828, described by Webster that year as "a common popular use of the word in New England, though not elegant." The figurative sense of "set to work on, try to deal with" (a task or problem) is attested by 1840. The sports sense is by 1867, "seize and stop" (a player running with the ball). Related: Tackled; tackler; tackling.
tackle (n.)
mid-13c., takel, "apparatus, gear," especially the rigging of a ship, from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German takel "the rigging of a ship," which is perhaps related to Middle Dutch taken "grasp, seize" (see take (v.)). Also compare tack (n.1), which, if not the origin, has influenced the sense.
The specific meaning "apparatus for fishing" is recorded from late 14c. The meaning "device for grasping and shifting or moving" is from 1530s (the sense in the mechanical block-and-tackle). The meaning "act of tackling, a seizing and grasping" in the sports sense is recorded from 1876 (compare tackle (v.)); as the name of a line position in North American football, it is recorded from 1884. Welsh tacl is from English.
taco (n.)
fried tortilla filled with spiced meat, etc., 1949, from Mexican Spanish, "light lunch," literally "plug, wadding."
Tacoma
city in Washington State, U.S., from Lushootseed (Salishan) /tequbed/ "snow-covered mountain," in reference to nearby Mount Rainier.
Taconic
mountain range in New England, perhaps from Mahican (Algonquian) */ta:hkenek/ "in the woods;" compare Unami Delaware (Algonquian) /tekenink/ "in the woods."
tactful (adj.)
"having or arising from discernment of what is best to do or say," 1844, from tact + -ful. Related: Tactfully; tactfulness.
tact (n.)
1650s, "sense of touch or feeling" (with an isolated instance, tacþe from c. 1200), from Latin tactus "a touch, handling, sense of touch," from root of tangere "to touch" (from PIE root *tag- "to touch, handle").
The meaning "fineness of discernment in action or conduct, diplomacy, intuitive mental perception of what is best to do or say" is in English by 1804, noted at the time as a development in the French cognate tact. The Latin figurative sense was "influence, effect."
tactical (adj.)
1560s, "pertaining or relating to (military) tactics, connected with the art of hostile operations," from Modern Latin tactica (see tactics) + -al (1). The meaning "characterized by adroit management, artfully directed" is attested by 1883. In reference to nuclear weapons ("for limited use in military operations," opposed to strategic) it is recorded by 1957. Related: Tactically.
tactics (n.)
1620s, "science of arranging military forces for combat," from Modern Latin tactica (17c.), from Greek taktikē tekhnē "art of arrangement," noun use of fem. of taktikos "of or pertaining to arrangement," especially "tactics in war," adjective to taxis "arrangement, an arranging, the order or disposition of an army, battle array; order, regularity," verbal noun of tassein "arrange" (from PIE root *tag- "to touch, handle").
tactic (n.)
"tactical system or method," 1766, from Modern Latin tactica, from Greek taktikē (tekhnē) "(art of) arrangement," from fem. of taktikos "pertaining to arrangement" (see tactics). Earlier it meant "a tactician" (1630s), and was in use as an adjective meaning "tactical" (c. 1600).
tactician (n.)
"expert in tactics," especially military; "adroit manager of actions," 1761; see tactic + -ian.
tactile (adj.)
1610s, "perceptible to touch;" 1650s, "of or pertaining to the sense of touch;" from French tactile (16c.) and directly from Latin tactilis "tangible, that may be touched," from tactus, past participle of tangere "to touch" (from PIE root *tag- "to touch, handle"). Related: Tactility.
tactless (adj.)
"characterized by want of tact," 1830, from tact + -less. Related: Tactlessly; tactlessness.
tactual (adj.)
"pertaining to the sense of touch; giving rise to feelings of contact," 1640s, from Latin tactus "a touch" (see tact) + -al (1). Related: Tactually.
tad (n.)
1877, "young or small child," U.S. colloquial, probably a shortened form of tadpole, which is said to be the source of Tad as the nickname of U.S. President Lincoln's son Thomas (1853—1871). The extended meaning "small amount" is attested by 1915. Tad in other slang references to persons is attested from 1845.
tadpole (n.)
"larva of a frog or toad" until the loss of gills, when it looks like a head with a tail, mid-15c., tadde-pol, from tadde "toad" (see toad) + pol "head" (see poll (n.)). Also pol-head (mid 13c.). The earliest uses are in glosses, rendering Latin words for "caterpillar" (brucus) and "earthworm" (lumbricus).
tae
a Scottish form of to.
taedium vitae
Latin, "weariness of life; a deep disgust with life tempting one to suicide."
tae kwon do
Korean art of unarmed combat, 1967, from Korean, said to represent tae "kick" + kwon "fist" + do "art, way, method."
ta'en
contraction of taken.
taffeta (n.)
mid-14c., "fine, smooth, lustrous, costly silk cloth," also taffata, taffety, from Old French taffetas (early 14c.), from Italian taffeta or Medieval Latin taffata, ultimately from Persian taftah "silk or linen cloth," noun use of past participle of taftan "to twist, spin, weave, interlace," from Iranian *tap-. Applied to different fabrics in different eras (and compare tapestry).
Taffy
characteristic name of a Welshman, c. 1700, from Teifi, Welsh form of Davy (see David).
taffy (n.)
coarse candy made from sugar or molasses boiled down and cooled, 1817, related to toffee (OED 1989 calls it an earlier form of it), but of uncertain origin; perhaps associated with tafia (1763), name of a rum-like alcoholic liquor distilled from molasses, a word presumably of West Indian or Malay (Austronesian) origin (perhaps a Creole shortening of ratafia). On this theory, the candy would have been made from the syrup skimmed off the liquor during distillation.
taffrail (n.)
1814, alteration of tafferel (1704) "upper panel on the stern of a ship," often ornamented; earlier, "a carved panel" (1620s), from Dutch tafereel "panel for painting or carving," dissimulation from *tafeleel, diminutive of tafel "table," from the general West Germanic borrowing of Latin tabula "slab, board" (see table (n.)). The word developed in Dutch from the custom of ornamenting (by painting or carving) the high, flat stern of old sailing ships; spelling and sense altered in English by influence of unrelated rail (n.1).
Taft
surname, from a variant of late Old English toft "homestead, site of a house," "homestead, site of a house," from Old Norse topt "homestead," from Proto-Germanic *tumfto, from PIE root *dem- "house, household."
*tag-
Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to touch, handle," with figurative extensions ("border on; taste, partake of; strike, hit; affect, impress; trick, cheat; mention, speak of").
It forms all or part of: attain; contact; contaminate; entire; intact; integer; integrate; integrity; noli me tangere; tact; tactics; tactile; tangent; tangible; task; taste; tax; taxis.
It is the hypothetical source of/evidence for its existence is provided by: Latin tangere "to touch," taxare "to touch, assess," tactus "touch," integer "intact, whole, complete, perfect; honest;" Greek tassein "to arrange," tetagon "having seized;" Old English þaccian "stroke, strike gently."
tag (n.1)
"small, hanging piece from a garment," c. 1400, a word of uncertain origin. Middle English Compendium compares Middle Low German tagge "branch, twig, spike," also Norwegian tagg "point, prong, barb," Swedish tagg "prickle, thorn." Watkins has it from PIE *dek-, a root forming words referring to "fringe; horsetail; locks of hair" (see tail (n.1)). The sense development might be "point of metal at the end of a cord, string, etc.," hence "part hanging loose." Also compare tag (n.3).
The meaning "a label" (attached to a package, etc., with directions) is attested by 1835. The sense of "automobile license-plate" is recorded from 1935, originally U.S. underworld slang.
The meaning "an epithet, popular designation" is recorded from 1961, hence slang verb meaning "write graffiti in public places" (1990).
tag (n.3)
c. 1400, tagge "a point of metal or other hard thing at the end of a cord or chain, an aglet," a word of obscure origin, perhaps a variant of Middle English dagge, attested by late 14c as "ornamental incision in the edge of a garment;" by c. 1400 as "shred, tag, strip" (of cloth, leather). Middle English Compendium compares Old French dague "dagger" (see dagger (n.)).
Hence "any pendant thing or appendage;" and, collectively "the rabble" (1530s). with rag (n.); compare ragtag.
tag (v.1)
early 15c. (implied in tagged), "furnish with a tag or tail," from tag (n.1). From 1620s as "mark by or as by a tag;" the sense of "fasten or join by or as if by a tag" is by 1704.
The meaning "go along as a follower" is from 1670s (verbal phrase tag along in this sense is by 1900). The colloquial transitive sense of "follow closely and persistently," as a dog its master, is by 1884. Related: Tagger; tagging.
tag (v.2)
"to hit lightly or touch in the game of tag," 1878, from tag (n.2) "a touch in the game of tag." The sense in baseball, "put out a player by touching him with the ball," is by 1904. Related: Tagged; tagger; tagging.
tag (n.2)
children's game in which one player ("it") chases the others and attempts to touch them, by 1738 (in a reference to "Queen Mary's reign"), perhaps a variation of Scottish tig "touch, tap" (1721), which is probably an alteration of Middle English tek, tik "touch, tap" (see tick (n.2)).
The baseball sense of "act of putting out an opposing player by touching him with the ball" is by 1912. It is not an acronym; it does not stand for anything.
Tagalog (n.)
people living near Manila in the Philippines, also their language, 1704, from Tagalog taga "native to" + ilog "river."
tagliatelle (n.)
1876, from Italian tagliatelle, plural noun from tagliare "to cut" (see entail).
tagline (n.)
also tag-line, "punchline of a joke," 1926, originally "last line in an actor's speech" (1916), from tag (n.1) + line (n.).
tahini (n.)
from Arabic tahina, from tahana "to grind or crush."
Tahiti
largest of what were formerly known as the Society Islands, from native Polynesian Otahiti, a name of uncertain meaning. By Europeans, it was called in turn Sagittaria (1606, by the Portuguese), King George III Island (1767, by the British), Nouvelle-Cythère (1768, by the French). Related: Tahitian.
Tahoe
Lake on the Nevada-California border, from Washo /da'aw/ "lake."
tay (n.)
late 13c., "box, chest, coffer;" mid-14c. "outer membrane of the brain, dura mater;" from Anglo-Latin teia, from Latin theca, from Greek thēkē "receptacle, case to put something in" (from suffixed form of PIE root *dhe- "to set, put"). Compare Old French toie "pillowcase, cushion-cover;" apparently an earlier borrowing is in Old English teah "coffer; enclosed field."
Tai (n.)
group of people of related ethnicity and language in Southeast Asia, including the Thai, Lao, and Shan, from tai, literally "free." Related: Taic.
Tai Chi (n.)
1736, the "supreme ultimate" in Taoism and Neo-Confucianism, from Chinese tai "extreme" + ji "limit." As the name of a form of martial arts training (said to have been developed by a priest in the Sung dynasty, 960-1279) it is first attested 1962, in full, tai chi ch'uan, with Chinese quan "fist."
taiga (n.)
belt of coniferous forests in Siberia, 1869, from Russian taiga, which is of Mongolian origin.
tail (n.1)
[hindmost part of an animal] Old English tægl, tægel "posterior extremity," from Proto-Germanic *tagla- (source also of Old High German zagal, German Zagel "tail," dialectal German Zagel "penis," Old Norse tagl "horse's tail," Gothic tagl "hair"), according to Watkins from PIE *doklos, from suffixed form of root *dek- (2) "something long and thin" (referring to such things as fringe, lock of hair, horsetail; source also of Old Irish dual "lock of hair," Sanskrit dasah "fringe, wick").
According to OED (2nd ed., 1989), the primary sense, at least in Germanic, seems to have been "hairy tail," or just "tuft of hair," but already in Old English the word was applied to the hairless "tails" of worms, bees, etc. But Buck writes that the common notion is of "long, slender shape."
Extended to many things resembling a tail in shape or position; by late 14c. as "hinder, bottom, or concluding part" in space or time of a text, a storm, etc. As an adjective from 1670s.
The meaning "reverse side of a coin" (opposite the side with the head) is from 1680s. Of descending strokes of letters, from 1590s. Tails "coat with tails" is from 1857, short for tail-coat.
To turn tail "wheel about, take flight" (1580s) seems to have been originally a term in falconry. The image of the tail wagging the dog is attested by 1866, American English, perhaps inspired by a much-reprinted 1863 newspaper joke:
Another Old English word for "tail" was steort (see stark). The slang sense of "pudenda" is from mid-14c.; that of "woman as sex object" is from 1933, earlier "act of copulation" with a prostitute (1846).
tail (v.)
c. 1500, tailen, "follow at the tail of, straggle after," from tail (n.1). It is attested from 1520s in the sense of "attach to the tail;" by 1781 as "move or extend in a way suggestive of a tail."
It can mean both "furnish with a tail" (1817) and "remove the tail or end of" (1794). The meaning "follow secretly" is U.S. colloquial, 1907; earlier it meant "follow or drive" sheep or cattle. To tail off "diminish" is attested from 1854; as a noun by 1975. Related: Tailed (attested from c. 1300 as "having a tail or tail-like appendage"); tailing.