I. ˈtär noun
Etymology: Middle English terr, tarr, from Old English teoru; akin to Old English trēow tree — more at tree
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : a dark brown or black bituminous usually odorous viscous liquid obtained by destructive distillation of organic material (as wood, coal, or peat)
b. : a substance in some respects resembling tar ; especially : a condensable residue present in smoke from burning tobacco that contains combustion by-products (as resins, acids, phenols, and essential oils)
2.
[short for tarpaulin ]
: sailor
II. transitive verb
( tarred ; tar·ring )
Date: 13th century
1. : to cover with tar
2. : to defile as if with tar
least tarred by the scandal — Newsweek
•
- tar and feather
- tar with the same brush
III. transitive verb
or tarre ˈtär
( tarred ; tar·ring ; tars or tarres )
Etymology: Middle English terren, tarren, from Old English tyrwan
Date: before 12th century
: to urge to action — usually used with on