tartar

1 of 2

noun (1)

tar·​tar ˈtär-tər 

1

: an incrustation on the teeth consisting of plaque that has become hardened by the deposition of mineral salts (such as calcium carbonate)

2

: a substance consisting essentially of cream of tartar that is derived from the juice of grapes and deposited in wine casks together with yeast and other suspended matters as a pale or dark reddish crust or sediment

especially : a recrystallized product yielding cream of tartar on further purification

tartar

2 of 2

noun (2)

1

capitalized : a native or inhabitant of Tartary

2

capitalized : tatar sense 2

3

often capitalized : a person of irritable or violent temper

4

: one that proves to be unexpectedly formidable

Tartar adjective

Tartarian

tär-ˈter-ē-ən 

adjective

Examples of tartar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

There are wines a plenty, and chilled champagnes and prosecco to pair with the tuna tartar, crispy fish cakes, and handmade seafood taglioni. —Mariette Williams, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Nov. 2024

Next, your provider will use an electrical tool to remove large amounts of tartar from your teeth. —Sherri Gordon, Health, 14 Aug. 2024

James Fellows Yates of the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History and his colleagues analyzed DNA from bacteria preserved in Neandertal tartar and compared it with bacterial DNA from the teeth of modern chimps, gorillas, howler monkeys and modern humans. —Kate Wong, Scientific American, 25 June 2024

Traces of heroin and cocaine have been found in the tartar of 19th-century Dutch farmers. —Big Think, 24 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin tartarum

Noun (2)

Middle English Tartre, from Middle French Tartare, probably from Medieval Latin Tartarus, modification of Persian Tātār — more at tatar

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing tartar

• cream of tartar
• tartar emetic
• tartar sauce

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Kids Definition

tartar

1 of 2 noun

tar·​tar ˈtärt-ər 

1

: a substance consisting mostly of cream of tartar that is found in the juice of grapes and is deposited in wine casks as a reddish crust or sediment

2

: a hard crust that forms on the teeth and consists of plaque that has become hardened with mineral salts (as of calcium)

tartar

2 of 2 noun

1

capitalized : a member of any of the chiefly Mongolian peoples who invaded parts of Asia and eastern Europe during the Middle Ages

2

: a person who is often angry or violent

Medical Definition

tartar

noun

tar·​tar ˈtärt-ər 

: an incrustation on the teeth consisting of plaque that has become hardened by the deposition of mineral salts (as calcium carbonate)