tan.

tan «tan», adjective, noun, verb, tanned, tan|ning.

–adj.

1. light yellowish-brown in color: »

He wore tan shoes.

2. having to do with tanning.

3. used in tanning.

–n.

1. a yellowish brown; light brown or darkish buff.

2. the darkening of the skin caused by exposure to certain ultraviolet (UV) rays. This darkening is usually the result of exposure to the sun's rays, but an artificial tan can be obtained by exposure to a sun lamp or by applying a tanning substance. »

His arms and legs had a dark tan.

3. the liquid used in tanning hides, usually containing tannin, extracted from the bark of oaks, hemlocks, and similar trees.

4. the bark used in tanning hides and also for covering riding tracks and circus rings; tanbark.

5. the astringent acid in it; tannin.

–v.t.

1. to make brown by exposure to sun and air, or to a sun lamp, or by applying a tanning substance: »

Sun and wind had tanned the sailor's face.

2. to make (a hide) into leather by soaking in a special liquid, especially one containing tannin, extracted from the bark of oak or hemlock trees.

3. Informal. to thrash or beat in punishment.

–v.i.

to become tanned: »

If you lie on the beach in the sun you will tan.

╂[Old English tannian < Medieval Latin tannare < tannum oak bark, probably < Celtic (compare Breton tann oak tree)]

tan (no period) or tan.,

tangent.

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tan.

Math. abbreviation of tangent B. 1.