I. ˈtȯt adjective
Etymology: Middle English tought, perhaps from tought, toughth fierce, tough, alteration of tough tough
Date: 14th century
1.
a. : having no give or slack : tightly drawn
a taut rope
b. : high-strung , tense
taut nerves
2.
a. : kept in proper order or condition
a taut ship
b.
(1) : not loose or flabby
taut muscles
(2) : marked by economy of structure and detail
a taut story
• taut·ly adverb
• taut·ness noun
II. transitive verb
Etymology: origin unknown
Date: 1721
Scottish : mat , tangle