What does tartan mean?

Definitions for tartan
ˈtɑr tntar·tan

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word tartan.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. tartan, plaidnoun

    a cloth having a crisscross design

Wiktionary

  1. Tartannoun

    The commander-in-chief of ancient Assyria.

  2. Etymology: From tartane, from tartana, of unceertain origin.

Wikipedia

  1. Tartan

    Tartan (Scottish Gaelic: breacan [ˈpɾʲɛxkən]) is a patterned cloth consisting of criss-crossed, horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colours. Tartans originated in woven wool, but now they are made in other materials. Tartan is particularly associated with Scotland, as Scottish kilts almost always have tartan patterns. Tartan is made with alternating bands of coloured (pre-dyed) threads woven as both warp and weft at right angles to each other. The weft is woven in a simple twill, two over—two under the warp, advancing one thread at each pass. This pattern forms visible diagonal lines where different colours cross, which give the appearance of new colours blended from the original ones. The resulting blocks of colour repeat vertically and horizontally in a distinctive pattern of squares and lines known as a sett. Tartan is often called "plaid" (particularly in North America), because in Scotland, a plaid is a large piece of tartan cloth, worn as a type of kilt or large shawl. The term plaid is also used in Scotland for an ordinary blanket such as one would have on a bed.The Dress Act of 1746 attempted to bring the warrior clans under government control by banning the tartan and other aspects of Gaelic culture. When the law was repealed in 1782, it was no longer ordinary Highland dress, but was adopted instead as the symbolic national dress of Scotland, a status that was widely popularised after King George IV wore a tartan kilt in his 1822 visit to Scotland. Until the middle of the nineteenth century, the highland tartans were only associated with either regions or districts, rather than any specific Scottish clan. This was because like other materials, tartan designs were produced by local weavers for local tastes and would usually only use the natural dyes available in that area, as synthetic dye production was non-existent and transportation of other dye materials across long distances was prohibitively expensive. The patterns were simply different regional checked-cloth patterns, chosen by the wearer's preference—in the same way as people nowadays choose what colours and patterns they like in their clothing, without particular reference to propriety. It was not until the mid-nineteenth century that patterns were created and artificially associated with Scottish clans, families, or institutions who were (or wished to be seen as) associated in some way with a Scottish heritage. The Victorians' penchant for ordered taxonomy and the new chemical dyes then available meant that the idea of specific patterns of bright colours, or "dress" tartans, could be created and applied to a nostalgic view of Scottish history. The Irish also wore tartan clothing but to a far lesser degree than their Gaelic cousins in Scotland. Today tartan is no longer limited to textiles, but is also used as a name for the pattern itself, appearing on media such as paper, plastics, packaging, and wall coverings. The use of tartan has spread outside the British Isles, particularly to countries who have been influenced by Scottish culture.

ChatGPT

  1. tartan

    Tartan is a pattern consisting of criss-crossed horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colors, traditionally associated with Scotland. It is often made of woven wool and used in clothing items such as kilts, scarves, and ties. Each Scottish clan has their own distinctive tartan pattern, which can also represent specific regions, companies, or organizations.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Tartannoun

    woolen cloth, checkered or crossbarred with narrow bands of various colors, much worn in the Highlands of Scotland; hence, any pattern of tartan; also, other material of a similar pattern

  2. Tartannoun

    a small coasting vessel, used in the Mediterranean, having one mast carrying large leteen sail, and a bowsprit with staysail or jib

Wikidata

  1. Tartan

    Tartan is a pattern consisting of criss-crossed horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colours. Tartans originated in woven wool, but now they are made in many other materials. Tartan is particularly associated with Scotland. Scottish kilts almost always have tartan patterns. Tartan is often called plaid in North America, but in Scotland, a plaid is a tartan cloth slung over the shoulder as a kilt accessory, or in reality a plain ordinary blanket such as one would have on a bed. Tartan is made with alternating bands of coloured threads woven as both warp and weft at right angles to each other. The weft is woven in a simple twill, two over – two under the warp, advancing one thread each pass. This forms visible diagonal lines where different colours cross, which give the appearance of new colours blended from the original ones. The resulting blocks of colour repeat vertically and horizontally in a distinctive pattern of squares and lines known as a sett. The Dress Act of 1746 attempted to bring the warrior clans under government control by banning the tartan and other aspects of Gaelic culture. When the law was repealed in 1782, it was no longer ordinary Highland dress, but was adopted instead as the symbolic national dress of Scotland.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary

  1. Tartan

    tär′tan, n. a woollen or worsted stuff checked with various colours, once the distinctive dress of the Scottish Highlanders, each clan having its own pattern. [Fr. tiretaine, linsey-woolsey—Sp. tiritaña, a thin woollen stuff—tiritar, to shiver.]

  2. Tartan

    tär′tan, n. a Mediterranean vessel with lateen sail: a kind of long covered carriage [Fr.,—Ar. taridah, a small ship.]

Dictionary of Nautical Terms

  1. tartan

    A small coasting vessel of the Mediterranean, with one mast and a bowsprit, lateen-rigged.

Matched Categories

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

Anagrams for tartan »

  1. rattan

  2. tantra

How to pronounce tartan?

How to say tartan in sign language?

Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of tartan in Chaldean Numerology is: 8

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of tartan in Pythagorean Numerology is: 2

Examples of tartan in a Sentence

  1. Doug Stephen:

    One of the most difficult things in general was developing software that was good enough to do all of those things without falling down, especially as a walking robot, both Kaist and [Tartan Rescue’s] CHIMP relied on wheels and tracks most of the time to move around because it’s safer, and we walked everywhere. In general, the hardest thing is figuring out how to not fall down, especially with no safety lines.

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tartan#10000#23793#100000

Translations for tartan

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"tartan." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 22 Dec. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/tartan>.

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