tattoo
n. · v.-
1 ink on skin (n.) A2 Elementarya permanent picture or design made on your skin using a needle and ink.
a permanent design or mark made on the body by the insertion of pigment into the dermis.
ExampleHe has a small tattoo of an anchor on his left arm.
ExampleThe artist spent four hours completing the intricate tattoo, ensuring the fine lines of the geometric pattern were perfectly symmetrical.
- ink
- body art
-
2 military display (n.) B2 Upper Intermediate British English Sporta large public show with military music and marching.
a military exercise or pageant, typically involving music and marching, often performed as an evening entertainment.
ExampleThousands of people travel to Scotland every year to see the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
ExampleThe annual tattoo featured a spectacular coordination of pipe bands and light displays that drew spectators from across the globe.
Show 2 more sensesShow fewer
-
3 rhythmic tapping (n.) C1 Advanced Literary Musica fast, rhythmic sound made by tapping or drumming.
a rapid, rhythmic drumming or tapping sound.
ExampleThe rain beat a steady tattoo against the metal roof of the cabin.
ExampleHis fingers beat a nervous tattoo on the mahogany desk while he waited for the board to announce their final decision.
-
4 to mark skin (v.) B1 Intermediateto mark someone's skin with a permanent design.
to mark a person or a part of the body with an indelible design by inserting pigment into the skin.
ExampleShe decided to have her daughter's name tattooed on her wrist.
ExampleThe specialist was commissioned to tattoo a realistic portrait onto the client's shoulder, a process requiring multiple sessions to achieve the desired depth.
From earlier tattaow, tattow, a borrowing from a Polynesian language, e.g. Samoan tatau (“tattoo; to tap, to strike”).
From earlier tap-to, borrowed from Dutch taptoe, from tap (“tap; faucet on a cask”) + toe (“to; shut”). More at tap, to.
From Hindi टट्टू (ṭaṭṭū).
- Nountat
- Nountattoo