tau

noun

ˈtau̇  ˈtȯ 

1

: the 19th letter of the Greek alphabet see Alphabet Table

2

: a short-lived elementary particle of the lepton family that exists in positive and negative charge states and has a mass about 3500 times greater than an electron

called also tau particle

3

: a protein that binds to and regulates the assembly and stability of neuronal microtubules and that is found in an abnormal form as the major component of neurofibrillary tangles

Examples of tau in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Carbonic anhydrase inhibition ameliorates tau toxicity via enhanced tau secretion. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024

After identifying that accumulation of toxic tau and amyloid proteins in the brain are a feature of Alzheimer’s disease, researchers have, understandably, been working on treatments that reduce or eliminate them. —New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2024

Fermilab physicists discovered the massive bottom quark, the heavier top quark, and the wispy tau neutrino. —Byadrian Cho, science.org, 4 Oct. 2024

Not only was Nicholls blood negative for amyloid and tau, the test suggested that his brain amyloid might be normal, with no distinguishable signs of the disease. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 18 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English taw, from Latin tau, from Greek, of Semitic origin; akin to Hebrew tāw taw

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing tau

• tau cross

Kids Definition

tau

noun

ˈtau̇ 

ˈtȯ

: the 19th letter of the Greek alphabet

—Τ or τ

Medical Definition

tau

noun

ˈtau̇  ˈtȯ 

: a protein that binds to and regulates the assembly and stability of neuronal microtubules and that is found in an abnormal form as the major component of neurofibrillary tangles

called also tau protein