tat|too

tat|too¹ «ta TOO», noun, plural -toos, verb, -tooed, -too|ing.

–n.

1. a) a signal on a bugle or drum calling soldiers or sailors to their quarters at night. b) a drumbeat raising an alarm.

2. a series of raps, taps, or thumps: »

The hail beat a loud tattoo on the windowpane.

3. Especially British. a military display, especially music and parading by show units, usually outdoors in the evening and floodlit.

–v.i., v.t.

to tap continuously; drum: »

Don't tattoo with your fingers.

╂[variant of tap-too < Dutch taptoe < tap tap of a barrel + toe pull to, shut]

tat|too² «ta TOO», verb, -tooed, -too|ing, noun, plural -toos.

–v.t.

1. to mark (the skin) with designs or patterns by pricking a line of holes and putting in colors.

2. to put (such a design) on the skin in this way: »

The sailor had a ship tattooed on his arm.

–n.

1. a picture, design, or motto tattooed on the skin.

2. the act or practice of tattooing the skin.

╂[< Polynesian (Marquesan) tatu]

–tat|too´er, noun.

tat|too³ «TAT oo», noun, plural -toos.

= tat⁴. (Cf. ↑tat)

╂[< Hindi tattū]