Middle English Dictionary Entry
Tartar n.(2)
Entry Info
| Forms | Tartar n.(2) Also tartare, tarter, tartre & (?error) tatre. |
| Etymology | OF tartaire, tartar(e & ML Tartarus & tartara. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) An inhabitant of Tartary, a Tartar; also, the name of one of the tribes or ethnic groups making up the Tartar nation [quot. ?a1425(c1400)]; also, the land of the Tartars, Tartary [last quot.]; (b) a costly fabric, perhaps a kind of silk, made in (or originally made in, or imported via) Tartary;—also pl.; (c) as surname.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Sq.(Manly-Rickert)F.28 : This noble kyng, this Tartre [vr. tartaryn] Cambyuskan, Hadde two sones.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Sq.(Manly-Rickert)F.266 : This Tartre [vr. Tatre] kyng Cambyuskan Roos fro his bord.
- ?a1425(c1400) Mandev.(1) (Tit C.16)146/30 : Amonges hem þei [Tartar people] hadden vij princypall nacyouns..Of the whiche the firste nacyoun or lynage was clept Tartar [Man.(2): Tartre; F Tartar], And þat is the most noble & the moste preysed.
- ?a1425 Mandev.(2) (Eg 1982)109/18,22 : Saise sum men þat þe emperour of Tartare gert call him Cham..þe folk of Tartre come of þe kynreden of Cham.
b
- (1397) Inquis.Miscel.(PRO)6.225 : [An old livery of black] tartar..[15 yards of] tartar [in remnants of divers colours, worth 26 s. 8 d.].
- (1431) Acc.in Lyte Hist.Dunster115 : [A quarter of a yard of] tarterys [bought for the said gown, 10 d.].
c
- (1296) Newcastle Galley in Archaeol.Ael.4.2185 : Henrici le Tarter.
- (1319) Pat.R.Edw.II359 : Robert Tarter.