Tar"tar (?), n. [F. tartre (cf. Pr.
tartari, Sp., Pg., & It. tartaro, LL. tartarum, LGr.
?); perhaps of Arabic origin.] 1. (Chem.) A
reddish crust or sediment in wine casks, consisting essentially of crude
cream of tartar, and used in marking pure cream of tartar, tartaric acid,
potassium carbonate, black flux, etc., and, in dyeing, as a mordant for
woolen goods; -- called also argol, wine stone,
etc.
2. A correction which often incrusts the teeth,
consisting of salivary mucus, animal matter, and phosphate of
lime.
Cream of tartar. (Chem.) See under
Cream. -- Tartar emetic (Med. Chem.),
a double tartrate of potassium and basic antimony. It is a poisonous
white crystalline substance having a sweetish metallic taste, and used in
medicine as a sudorific and emetic.
Tar"tar (?), n. 1. [Per.
Tātār, of Tartar origin.] A native or inhabitant of
Tartary in Asia; a member of any one of numerous tribes, chiefly Moslem, of
Turkish origin, inhabiting the Russian Europe; -- written also, more
correctly but less usually, Tatar.
2. A person of a keen, irritable temper.
To catch a tartar, to lay hold of, or encounter, a
person who proves too strong for the assailant. [Colloq.]
Tar"tar, a. Of or pertaining to Tartary
in Asia, or the Tartars.
Tar"tar, n. [Cf. F. tartare.] See
Tartarus. Shak.