English Explanatory Dictionary

tattoo

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. An image made on a body part, usually the skin with ink and a needle.
  2. A method of decorating a body part, usually the skin, by inserting colored substances under the surface with a sharp instrument (usually a solenoid-driven needle).
verb
  1. To apply a tattoo to (someone or something).
  2. To hit the ball hard, as if to figuratively leave a tattoo on the ball.
noun
  1. A signal played five minutes before taps (lights out).
  2. A signal by drum or bugle ordering soldiers to return to their quarters.
  3. A military display or pageant.
  4. A rhythmic tapping.
verb
  1. To tap rhythmically on, to drum.
noun
  1. A pony of a certain breed from India.

Pronunciation

/tæˈtuː/ /təˈtuː/ [tʰæˈtʰʉw] [tʰæˈtʰuː] LL-Q1860 (eng)-Qwertygiy-tattoo.wav [tʰæˈtʰʊw] [tʰaˈtʰʉw] [tʰaʔʉw] LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-tattoo.wav [tʰæˈɾʉw] [t(ʰ)aˈtʰʉː] [tɐˈɾ̥uː] [tətːʉː] /ˈʈaʈu/

Word forms

tattoo tattoos tattooes tattooing tattooed tattu

Etymology

From earlier tattaow, tattow, a borrowing from a Polynesian language, e.g. Samoan tatau (“tattoo; to tap, to strike”).

Related words

evening gun

Derived words

amalgam tattoo henna tattoo sleeve tattoo tantoo tat tatt tattoo flash tattoo gun tattoo machine tattoo parlor tribal tattoo vattoo screwed, blued and tattooed screwed, glued and tattooed tattoo artist tattooer tattooist tattoo parlour devil's tattoo
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