[tar] n [ME terr, tarr, fr. OE teoru; akin to OE treow tree--more at tree] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a dark brown or black bituminous usu. odorous viscous liquid obtained by destructive distillation of organic material (as wood, coal, or peat) b: a substance in some respects resembling tar; esp: 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
[2]tar vt tarred ; tar.ring (13c) 1: to cover with tar
2: to defile as if with tar "least tarred by the scandal --Newsweek" -- tar and feather : to smear (a person) with tar and cover with feathers as a punishment or indignity -- tar with the same brush : to mark or stain with the same fault or characteristic [3]tar or tarre vt tarred ; tar.ring ; tars or tarres [ME terren, tarren, fr. OE tyrwan] (bef. 12c): to urge to action--usu. used with on