TARTAR Meaning and
Definition
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Tartar is a noun with multiple definitions, depending on the context in which it is used.
Firstly, tartar refers to a hard, calcified deposit that forms on the teeth due to the accumulation of mineralized plaque. It is commonly yellow or brown in color and can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath if not removed regularly through brushing, flossing, and professional dental cleanings. Tartar is formed when plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, combines with minerals from saliva and hardens on the teeth.
Secondly, tartar can also refer to a sauce or condiment made from capers, vinegar, onions, and other savory ingredients. It is typically served with fish dishes to add a tangy or piquant flavor.
Additionally, tartar is known as a thick, red, or yellowish crust that forms around the rims of wine barrels or other containers used to store liquids. This substance is made up of sediment, yeast, and bacteria and is often unwanted in the production of wines or spirits, as it can affect the flavor and quality.
Lastly, tartar can also be used as an abbreviation for tartaric acid, a naturally occurring acid found in grapes and used in various industries, including food and beverage production, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.
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1. Acid potassium tartrate, potassium bitartrate, forming a crust on the interior of winecasks. 2. A brownish or yellowish brown substance, chiefly calcium phosphate, deposited on the teeth from the saliva.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
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• The white or reddish acid substance which gathers on the sides of casks and vats containing wine, in the form of a hard crust, and frequently as a white crust on the teeth.
• An inhabitant or native of Tartary; one who proves too strong or cunning for his assailant, as in the phrase, "to catch a Tartar".
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for TARTAR
Etymology of TARTAR
The word "tartar" has two different etymologies, depending on its context:
1. As pertaining to dental deposits:
The term "tartar" in reference to dental deposits (also known as dental calculus) comes from the Latin word "tartarum", which was derived from the Greek word "tartaros". In ancient Greek mythology, Tartarus was the deepest abyss of the underworld. Over time, the term "tartaros" was used to describe the white or yellowish substance found on teeth, resembling the hardness of rocks in the underworld.
2. As pertaining to cuisine:
In culinary contexts, "tartar" refers to a sauce or dish consisting of finely chopped raw ingredients, mainly meat or fish. The origin of this term comes from the French phrase "à la tartare", meaning "in the Tartar style" or "Tartar-style".
Idioms with the word TARTAR
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catch a Tartar
The idiom "catch a Tartar" means to encounter someone or something unexpectedly difficult, formidable, or fierce. It refers to a situation where one underestimates or challenges an opponent only to find out that they are more powerful or troublesome than anticipated.
Similar spelling words for TARTAR
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