Etymology PIE word *dóru From Middle English ter, terr, tarr, from Old English teoru, from Proto-West Germanic *teru, from Proto-Germanic *terwą, from Proto-Indo-European *derwo-, from *dóru (“tree”). See also Saterland Frisian Taar, West Frisian tarre, tar, Dutch teer, German Teer; also Welsh derw (“oaks”), Lithuanian dervà (“pinewood, resin”), Russian де́рево (dérevo, “tree”), Bulgarian дърво́ (dǎrvó, “tree”). More at tree.
› A black, oil, sticky, viscous substance…
1
Usually Coal tar.
2
Usually (often typeset "tar" in USA) A solid residual byproduct of tobacco smoke.
3
Dated, Slang A sailor (because of the traditional tarpaulin clothes).
Shines in all climates like a star; In senates bold, and fierce in war; A land commander, and a tar.1723, Jonathan Swift, To Charles Mordaunt, Earl of Peterborough:
a ruminating tar was[…]adorning [the wooden settle] with his jack-knife,[…]trying his hand at a ship under full sail.1851, Herman Melville, Moby Dick:
1 more example
If there's one man that I admire, that man's a British tar.1915, W. McMann, “Our Picture Show”, in Western Evening Herald:
4
Abbreviation, Ellipsis Ellipsis of black tar heroin.
Etymology PIE word *dóru From Middle English ter, terr, tarr, from Old English teoru, from Proto-West Germanic *teru, from Proto-Germanic *terwą, from Proto-Indo-European *derwo-, from *dóru (“tree”). See also Saterland Frisian Taar, West Frisian tarre, tar, Dutch teer, German Teer; also Welsh derw (“oaks”), Lithuanian dervà (“pinewood, resin”), Russian де́рево (dérevo, “tree”), Bulgarian дърво́ (dǎrvó, “tree”). More at tree.
1
To coat with tar.
2
To besmirch.
The allegations tarred his name, even though he was found innocent.
Dr. Sign: In fact, maybe you think I should get credit, but if I do, Dr. Frendall will be scorned. You know why Dr. Ellsworth: Yes, I know. Your critics will tar him with the same brush as you.1995, Paul Robinson, The Gate Contracts:
Etymology Borrowed from Persian تار (târ). Doublet of tantra.
1
A Persian long-necked, waisted string instrument, shared by many cultures and countries in the Middle East and the Caucasus.
MOHAMMAD REZA SHAJARIAN (Thursday) Renowned in his native Iran, the vocalist Mohammad Reza Shajarian has been performing since the 1960s, and is now widely considered one of the finest classical Persian singers in the world. Mr. Shajarian’s son, Homayoun Shajarian, will provide additional vocals and tombak (goblet drum), while Ensemble Ava, a four-piece, will contribute additional instrumentation on the ancient Persian instruments barbat (short-necked lute), tar (long-necked lute), kamancheh (spike fiddle) and daf (frame drum).2008 May 30, The New York Times, “Pop and Rock Listings”, in The New York Times, archived from the original on 09 Apr 2022:
tar
noun
Etymology Borrowed from Arabic طار (ṭār).
1
A single-headed round frame drum originating in North Africa and the Middle East.