/ tɑːt; NAmE tɑːrt/ noun , adjective , verb
■ noun
1.
[ C , U ] an open pie filled with sweet food such as fruit :
a strawberry tart
—compare flan , quiche
2.
[ C ] ( BrE , informal , disapproving ) a woman who you think behaves or dresses in a way that is immoral and is intended to make men sexually excited
—see also tarty
3.
[ C ] ( slang ) a prostitute
■ adjective
1.
having an unpleasant sour taste :
tart apples
2.
[ usually before noun ] ( of remarks, etc. ) quick and unkind :
a tart reply
SYN sharp
► tart·ly adverb :
'Too late!' said my mother tartly.
► tart·ness noun [ U ]
■ verb
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- tart yourself up
- tart sth up
••
WORD ORIGIN
noun sense 1 late Middle English (denoting a savoury pie): from Old French tarte or medieval Latin tarta , of unknown origin.
noun senses 2 to 3 and verb mid 19th cent.: probably an abbreviation of sweetheart .
adjective Old English teart harsh, severe , of unknown origin.