Hypertext Webster Gateway: "tattoo"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Tattoo \Tat*too"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Tattooed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Tattooing}.] [Of Polynesian origin; cf. New Zealand ta to
tattoo, tatu puncturation (in Otaheite).]
To color, as the flesh, by pricking in coloring matter, so as
to form marks or figures which can not be washed out.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Tattoo \Tat*too"\, n.; pl. {Tattoos}.
An indelible mark or figure made by puncturing the skin and
introducing some pigment into the punctures; -- a mode of
ornamentation practiced by various barbarous races, both in
ancient and modern times, and also by some among civilized
nations, especially by sailors.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Tattoo \Tat*too"\, n. [Earlier taptoo, D. taptoe; tap a tap,
faucet + toe to, shut (i. e., the taps, or drinking houses,
shut from the soldiers).] (Mil.)
A beat of drum, or sound of a trumpet or bugle, at night,
giving notice to soldiers to retreat, or to repair to their
quarters in garrison, or to their tents in camp.
{The Devil's tattoo}. See under {Devil}.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
tattoo
n 1: a drumbeat of bugle call that signals the military to return
to their quarters
2: a design on the skin made by tattooing
3: the practice of making a design on the skin by pricking and
staining
v : stain (skin) with indelible color
Additional Hypertext Webster Gateway Lookup
Gateway by dict@stokkie.net
stock only wrote the gateway and does not have any control over the contents;
see the Webster Gateway FAQ,
and also the Back-end/database links and credits.