tartan English · revision 1529

+ {{infobox|confidence=uncertain|formation=borrowing|attested=1454}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈtɑːt(ə)n/ ''(UK)''; /ˈtɑɹtn̩/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ Its origin is uncertain.^(Etymonline)^(Partridge 1966) It may be [[bor|frm|tiretaine|t=strong coarse fabric, linsey-woolsey]], [[m|frm|tertaine]],^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(Hoad 1986) from [[fro|tiret|t=a kind of cloth]], from [[m|fro|tire|t=silk cloth]], from [[la-med|tyrius|t=cloth from Tyre]].^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline) The spelling was probably influenced by [[enm|tartaryn|t=rich silk cloth]] (1343), from [[fro|tartarin|t=Tartar cloth]].^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(Skeat 1911) Weekley derives it chiefly from ''tartarin'',^(Weekley 1921) while Klein and Collins trace ''tiretaine'' to [[es|tiritaña|t=a thin silk fabric]], from [[m|es|tiritar|t=to rustle, shiver]].^(Klein 1966)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A kind of woollen fabric (1454 in Barnhart; mid-15th century in Etymonline; about 1500 in the OED and Merriam-Webster).^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The word was originally Scottish.^(Hoad 1986) It came to mean a woollen cloth woven in coloured stripes crossing at right angles, worn especially by the Scottish Highlanders, each clan having its own pattern.^(OED 1989)^(RHWU) By transfer it was used of a Highlander, or of Highlanders collectively (1817).^(OED 1989) In 1972 it was applied to young members of Protestant gangs in Northern Ireland.^(OED 1989) The verb, to clothe in tartan, dates from 1813.^(OED 1989) A different word, ''tartan'' or ''tartane'', names a small one-masted Mediterranean vessel (1621).^(OED 1989)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1343 – ''tartaryn'', rich silk cloth.^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * 1454 – ''tartyn'', a woollen fabric.^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * c. 1500 – first quotation in the OED.^(OED 1989)^(MW Collegiate)

+ * 1813 – verb, to clothe in tartan.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1817 – a Highlander, or Highlanders collectively.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Any of many patterns of stripes of varying width and colour crossing at right angles, especially one associated with a Scottish [[clan]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A twilled [[wool|alt=woollen]] fabric or garment with such a pattern.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Any [[plaid]] fabric.^(AHD)^(RHWU)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Made of or patterned like tartan.^(RHWU)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[plaid]]

+ * [[Tartar]]

+ * [[Tyrian]]

+ * [[kilt]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}