TATTOO
tattoo
(noun) the practice of making a design on the skin by pricking and staining
tattoo
(noun) a design on the skin made by tattooing
tattoo
(noun) a drumbeat or bugle call that signals the military to return to their quarters
tattoo
(verb) stain (skin) with indelible color
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology 1
Noun
tattoo (plural tattoos)
An image made in the skin with ink and a needle.
A method of decorating the skin by inserting colored substances under the surface with a sharp instrument (usually a solenoid-driven needle).
Verb
tattoo (third-person singular simple present tattoos, present participle tattooing, simple past and past participle tattooed)
To apply a tattoo to (someone or something).
(baseball) To hit the ball hard, as if to figuratively leave a tattoo on the ball.
Etymology 2
Noun
tattoo (countable and uncountable, plural tattoos)
(nautical) A signal played five minutes before taps (lights out).
(military) A signal by drum or bugle ordering soldiers to return to their quarters.
(military) A military display or pageant.
Verb
tattoo (third-person singular simple present tattoos, present participle tattooing, simple past and past participle tattooed)
To tap rhythmically on, to drum.
Etymology 3
Noun
tattoo (plural tattoos)
A breed of pony from India; a pony of that breed.
Source: Wiktionary
Tat*too", n. Etym: [Earlier taptoo, D. taptoe; tap a tap, faucet +
toe to, shut (i. e., the taps, or drinking houses, shut from the
soldiers).] (Mil.)
Definition: 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", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Tattooed; p. pr. & vb. n. Tattooing.]
Etym: [Of Polynesian origin; cf. New Zealand ta to tattoo, tatu
puncturation (in Otaheite).]
Definition: 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", n.; pl. Tattoos (.
Definition: 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.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition