I. ˈtȯt, usu -ȯd.+V adjective
( -er/-est )
Etymology: Middle English tought; probably akin to Old English togian to draw, drag — more at tow
1.
a. : tightly drawn : tensely stretched : not slack
the flesh seemed smoothed back, even painfully taut — R.P.Warren
a piece of strong fabric about one yard square, kept taut by a wooden frame — W.H.Dowdeswell
b. : high-strung , tense
her nerves were taut as bowstrings — O.E.Rölvaag
strain our already taut nerves a little further — W.F.Hambly
2. : severe , strict
is reputed to drive pretty taut bargains — G.S.Perry
3.
a. : kept in proper order or condition : well disciplined
sailormen prefer a happy ship to a taut ship, where strict discipline is the only diet — A.R.Griffin
each team had brought a small but taut cheering section of its own — A.J.Liebling
b. : not loose or flabby : firm , trim
a figure that was slender, taut , and graceful — Aline B. Saarinen
the taut , economical style contains more than meets the casual eye — Time
Synonyms: see tight
II. ˈtät transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: origin unknown
Scotland : tangle
III. abbreviation
tautological; tautology