tartan
Americannoun
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a woolen or worsted cloth woven with stripes of different colors and widths crossing at right angles, worn chiefly by the Scottish Highlanders, each clan having its own distinctive plaid.
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a design of such a plaid known by the name of the clan wearing it.
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any plaid.
adjective
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of, relating to, or resembling tartan.
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made of tartan.
noun
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a design of straight lines, crossing at right angles to give a chequered appearance, esp the distinctive design or designs associated with each Scottish clan
the Buchanan tartan
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( as modifier )
a tartan kilt
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a woollen fabric or garment with this design
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Highland dress
noun
Other Word Forms
- tartaned adjective
Etymology
Origin of tartan
1490–1500; variant of tertane < Middle French tertaine ( Old French tiretaine ) linsey-woolsey
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
She wore a tartan outfit with powerful shoulder pads and a full skirt.
From BBC
Watched on by Stella McCartney and Skepta, her show featured vibrant red and blue hues and eye-catching multicolour tartan dresses and skirts with matching hats and ties.
From BBC
A new version would have more tartan than a shortbread factory.
From BBC
"There was Stewart tartan everywhere, the waistcoats, kilts and the dresses."
From BBC
There, Fear and Gibson are planning a Scottish-themed medley in honour of his roots – tartan costumes and all.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
