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