[taut] adj [ME tought] (14c) 1 a: having no give or slack: tightly drawn b: high-strung, tense "~ nerves"
2. a: kept in proper order or condition "a ~ ship" b (1): not loose or flabby (2): marked by economy of structure and detail "a ~ story" -- taut.ly adv -- taut.ness n
[2]taut vt [origin unknown] (1721) Scot: mat, tangle