I. noun
also ta·too (ˈ)ta|tü
( -s )
Etymology: alteration of earlier taptoo, from Dutch taptoe, from the imperative phrase tap toe! taps shut!, from tap tap of a keg (from Middle Dutch tappe ) + toe to, shut, from Middle Dutch; akin to Old English tō to — more at tap , to
1.
a. : a call or signal sounded (as on a bugle or drum) shortly before taps as notice to soldiers or sailors to repair to quarters
b. : an evening entertainment given by troops usually in the form of outdoor military exercises with music
the evening was not yet over, for the splendid military tattoo and massed bands rounded out an unforgettable day — J.W.Davies
2. : a usually rapid rhythmic beating or rapping
the hoofs of his horse beat a soft tattoo on the roads — Sherwood Anderson
the running gear beat a tattoo against the masts — H.A.Chippendale
— see devil's tattoo
II. verb
also tatoo “
( -ed/-ing/-s )
transitive verb
: to beat or rap rhythmically on : drum on
dragged him out, face up, his head lolling back, his slack heels tattooing the pavement — Nathaniel Burt
intransitive verb
: to give a series of rhythmic taps
tattooed on a door — Elizabeth Bowen
III. noun
also tatoo “
( -s )
Etymology: modification of Tahitian tatau
1. : the act of tattooing or the fact of being tattooed
tattoo … consists of pricking pigment into the skin — Notes & Queries on Anthropology
facial tattoo with conspicuous curvilinear patterns … was common — R.H.Lowie
2. : an indelible mark or figure fixed upon the surface of the body by the insertion of pigment under the skin or by the production of scars
IV. transitive verb
also tatoo “
( -ed/-ing/-s )
1.
a. : to mark or color (the skin) by pricking in coloring matter so as to form indelible marks or figures or by production of scars
b. : to mark the skin with (a tattoo)
tattooed a flag on his chest
2. : to mark permanently
his entire body is tattooed with souvenirs of the first bomb — W.M.Hitzig
V. ˈta(ˌ)tü, ˈtə(- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Hindi ṭaṭṭū
: a native-bred pony of India