[tam.bour] n [MF, drum, fr. Ar tanbur, modif. of Per tabir] (15c) 1: [1]drum 1
2. a: an embroidery frame; esp: a set of two interlocking hoops between which cloth is stretched before stitching b: embroidery made on a tambour frame
3: a shallow metallic cup or drum with a thin elastic membrane supporting a writing lever used to transmit and register slight motions (as arterial pulsations)
4: a rolling top or front (as of a rolltop desk) of narrow strips of wood glued on canvas
[2]tambour vt (1774): to embroider (cloth) with tambour ~ vi: to work at a tambour frame -- tam.bour.er n