1. n. & v.
--n.
1. a dark thick inflammable liquid distilled from wood or coal etc. and used as a preservative of wood and iron, in making roads, as an antiseptic, etc.
2 a similar substance formed in the combustion of tobacco etc.
--v.tr. (tarred, tarring) cover with tar.
Phrases and idioms:
tar and feather smear with tar and then cover with feathers as a punishment. tar-brush a brush for applying tar. tarred with the same brush having the same faults.
Etymology: OE te(o)ru f. Gmc, rel. to TREE 2. n. colloq. a sailor.
Etymology: abbr. of TARPAULIN