TAR

n. & v. --n. 1 a dark thick inflammable liquid distilled from wood or coal etc. and used as a preservative of wood and iron, in making roads, as an antiseptic, etc. 2 a similar substance formed in the combustion of tobacco etc. --v.tr. (tarred, tarring) cover with tar. øtar and feather smear with tar and then cover with feathers as a punishment. tar-brush a brush for applying tar. tarred with the same brush having the same faults. [OE te(o)ru f. Gmc, rel. to TREE]