n. & adj. (also Tatar except in sense 2 of n.)
--n.
1. a a member of a group of Central Asian peoples including Mongols and Turks. b the Turkic language of these peoples.
2 (tartar) a violent-tempered or intractable person.
--adj.
1. of or relating to the Tartars.
2 of or relating to Central Asia E. of the Caspian Sea.
Phrases and idioms:
tartar sauce a sauce of mayonnaise and chopped gherkins, capers, etc.
Derivatives:
Tartarian adj.
Etymology: ME tartre f. OF Tartare or med.L Tartarus