tartar

[ tahr-ter ]
/ ˈtɑr tər /

noun

Dentistry. calculus(def 3).
the deposit from wines, potassium bitartrate.
the intermediate product of cream of tartar, obtained from the crude form, argol.

Origin of tartar

1350–1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin tartarum < Late Greek tártaron; replacing Middle English tartre < Middle French < Medieval Latin, as above

Definition for tartar (2 of 3)

Tartar 1
[ tahr-ter ]
/ ˈtɑr tər /

noun

adjective

of or relating to a Tartar or Tartars; Tartarian.
Also Tatar (for defs 1, 2, 4, 5, 8).

Origin of Tartar

1
1350–1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin Tartarus, perhaps variant of Tātārus (unattested) < Persian Tātār, by association with Tartarus; replacing Middle English Tartre < Middle French < Medieval Latin, as above

OTHER WORDS FROM Tartar

Tar·tar·ly, adverb

Definition for tartar (3 of 3)

Tartar 2
[ tahr-ter ]
/ ˈtɑr tər /

noun Obsolete.

Example sentences from the Web for tartar

British Dictionary definitions for tartar (1 of 3)

tartar 1
/ (ˈtɑːtə) /

noun

dentistry a hard crusty deposit on the teeth, consisting of food, cellular debris, and mineral salts
Also called: argol a brownish-red substance consisting mainly of potassium hydrogen tartrate, present in grape juice and deposited during the fermentation of wine

Word Origin for tartar

C14: from Medieval Latin tartarum, from Medieval Greek tartaron

British Dictionary definitions for tartar (2 of 3)

tartar 2
/ (ˈtɑːtə) /

noun

(sometimes capital) a fearsome or formidable person

Word Origin for tartar

C16: special use of Tartar

British Dictionary definitions for tartar (3 of 3)

Tartar
/ (ˈtɑːtə) /

noun, adjective

a variant spelling of Tatar

Medical definitions for tartar

tartar
[ tärtər ]

n.

A hard, yellowish deposit on the teeth, consisting of organic secretions and food particles deposited in various salts, such as calcium carbonate. dental calculus

Scientific definitions for tartar

tartar
[ tärtər ]

A hard yellowish deposit on the teeth, consisting of organic secretions and food particles deposited in various salts, such as calcium carbonate.
A reddish acid compound consisting of a tartrate of potassium, found in the juice of grapes and deposited on the sides of wine casks.