[tar.tar] n [ME, fr. ML tartarum] (14c) 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; esp: a recrystallized product yielding cream of tartar on further purification
2: an incrustation on the teeth consisting of salivary secretion, food residue, and various salts (as calcium carbonate)
[2]tartar n [ME Tartre, fr. MF Tartare, prob. fr. ML Tartarus, modif. of Per Tatar--more at tatar] (14c) 1 cap: a native or inhabitant of Tatary
2. cap: tatar
2. 3 often cap: a person of irritable or violent temper
4: one that proves to be unexpectedly formidable -- Tartar adj -- Tar.tar.i.an adj