— tautly , adv. — tautness , n.
/tawt/ , adj., tauter, tautest .
1. tightly drawn; tense; not slack.
2. emotionally or mentally strained or tense: taut nerves.
3. in good order or condition; tidy; neat.
[ 1275-1325; earlier taught, ME tought; akin to TOW 1 ]
Syn. 3. trim, trig, spruce, smart.