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Webster 1913 Edition

Tattoo

Tat-too′

,
Noun.
[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
.

Tat-too′

,
Verb.
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.

Tat-too′

,
Noun.
;
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.

Webster 1828 Edition

Tattoo

TATTOO'

,
Noun.
[Eng. tap.] A beat of drum at night, giving notice to soldiers to retreat, or to repair to their quarters in garrison, or to their tents in camp.

TATTOO'

,
Verb.
T.
[In the South Sea isles.] To prick the skin, and stain the punctured spots with a black substance, forming lines and figures upon the body. In some isles, the inhabitants tattoo the face, in others only the body. The same practice exists among other rude nations.

TATTOO'

,
Noun.
Figures on the body made by punctures and stains in lines and figures.

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