Emily Dickinson Lexicon

TAN'REC, n. [or TEN'REC, or TEN'DRAC.]

The popular name of the several species of the insectivorous mammalian genus Centeres, of which there are three species. They are small quadrupeds, inhabiting Madagascar and the isle of France.

TAN'-SPUD, n. [tan and spud.]

An instrument for peeling the bark from oak and other trees. [Local.]

TAN'-STOVE, n. [tan and stove.]

A hot house with a bark bed.

TAN'SY, n. [s as z. Fr. tanaisie; It. and Sp. tanaceto; L. tanacetum. Qu. Gr. αθανασια, immortality. This is doubtful and rather improbable.]

A plant of the genus Tanacetum, of many speices. It is extremely bitter to the taste, and used for medicinal and culinary purposes. Cyc.

TANT, n.

A small spider with two eyes and eight long legs, and of an elegant scarlet color. Cyc.

TAN'TA-LISM, n. [See Tantalize.]

The punishment of Tantalus; a teasing or tormenting by the hope or near approach of good which is not attainable. Is not such a provision like tantalism to this people? J. Quincy.

TAN'TAL-ITE, n.

Another name for the mineral called Columbite, which is found in New England and in Europe.

TAN-TA-LI-ZA'TION, n.

The act of tantalizing.

TAN'TA-LIZE, v.t. [from Tantalus, in fable, who was condemned for his crimes to perpetual hunger and thirst, with food and water near him which he could not reach.]

To tease or torment by presenting some good to the view and exciting desire, but continually frustrating the expectations by keeping that good out of reach; to tease; to torment. Thy vain desires, at strife / Within themselves, have tantaliz'd thy life. Dryden.

TAN'TA-LIZ-ED, pp.

Teased or tormented by the disappointment of the hope of good.

TAN'TA-LIZ-ER, n.

One that tantalizes.

TAN'TA-LIZ-ING, ppr.

Teasing or tormenting by presenting to the view some unattainable good.

TAN'TA-LIZ-ING-LY, adv.

By tantalizing.

TAN'TA-LUM, n.

A name once used for the metallic basis of the mineral called tantalite or columbite.

TAN'TA-LUS, n.

In fabulous history, a Lydian king, who was condemned to be plunged in water, with choice fruits hanging over him, without the power of reaching them to satisfy his hunger or his thirst.

TANT'A-MOUNT, a. [L. tantus, so much, and amount.]

Equal; equivalent in value or signification; as, a sum tantamount to all our expenses. Silence is sometimes tantamount to consent.

TAN'TIV-Y, adv. [said to be from the note of a hunting horn; L. tanta vi.]

To ride tantivy, is to ride with great speed. Johnson.

TANT'LING, n. [See Tantalize.]

One seized with the hope of pleasure unattainable. Shak.

TAN'-VAT, n. [tan and vat.]

A vat in which hides are steeped in liquor with tan.

TAN'-YARD, n.

An inclosure where the tanning of leather is carried on.

TAP, n.

1. A gentle blow; a slight blow with a small thing. She gives her right hand woman a tap on the shoulder. Addison.
2. A spile or pipe for drawing liquor from a cask. [But in Sp. tapar is to stop, and a tap may be a stopper. In this case, the verb to tap, should follow the noun.]

TAP, v.i.

To strike a gentle blow. He tapped at the door.

TAP, v.t.¹ [Fr. taper; Arm. tapa, tapein; Dan. tapper, to throb; Gr. τυπτω, τυπος. See Class Db, No. 28.]

To strike with something small, or to strike a very gentle blow; to touch gently; as, to tap one with the hand; to tap one on the shoulder with a cane.

TAP, v.t.² [Sax. tæppan; Sw. tappa; Dan. tapper; D. tappen; G. zapfen.]

1. To pierce or broach a cask, and insert a tap.
2. To open a cask and draw liquor. Addison.
3. To pierce for letting out fluid; as, to tap a tumor; to tap a dropsical person. Sharp.
4. To box, or bore into; as, to tap a maple tree to obtain the sap for making sugar. Mease.

TAPE, n. [Sax. tæppe.]

A narrow fillet or band; a narrow piece of woven work, used for strings and the like; as, curtains tied with tape. Pope.