tartan
pronunciation
How to pronounce tartan in British English:
UK [ˈtɑ:tn]
How to pronounce tartan in American English:
US [ˈtɑrtn]
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- Noun:
- a cloth having a crisscross design
Word Origin
- tartan (n.)
- "kind of woolen fabric," mid-15c., perhaps from Middle French tiretaine "strong, coarse fabric" (mid-13c.), from Old French tiret "kind of cloth," from tire "silk cloth," from Medieval Latin tyrius "cloth from Tyre" (see Tyrian). If this is the source, spelling likely influenced in Middle English by tartaryn "rich silk cloth" (mid-14c.), from Old French tartarin "Tartar cloth," from Tartare "Tartar," the Central Asian people (see Tartar). Specific meaning "woolen or worsted cloth woven with crossing stripes of colors" is from c. 1500, formerly a part of the distinctive dress of Scottish Highlanders, each clan having its particular pattern.
Example
- 1. She took a tartan rug out of her case .
- 2. Is that a gucci tartan mini ?
- 3. A rabbit wearing a tartan suit competes in a rabbit fashion contest near tokyo .
- 4. Men wear tartan picnic basket backpacks all the time .
- 5. Now look at this . This isn 't too bad , this little tartan number .