tare
tare Lexical Profile
tare Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The weight of an empty container, wrapping, or vehicle, which is deducted from the gross weight to determine the net weight of the contents or load.
"Before weighing the chemical powder, the technician recorded the tare of the glass beaker."
Any of several climbing leguminous plants of the genus Vicia (commonly known as vetches) grown across temperate Eurasia as forage crops, or an injurious weed (such as darnel) growing among grain.
"The farmer sowed a mixture of oats and tares to provide nutrient-rich fodder for the cattle."
• verb
To determine or account for the weight of an empty container, or to reset a weighing scale to zero with the empty container on it so that only the net weight of the contents is measured.
"Remember to tare the digital scale with the mixing bowl on it before adding the flour."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'tare' (the weight of an empty container or an agricultural weed) with its homophone 'tear' (to rip apart). Note also that 'tare' was historically used as the preterite of 'tear', a form now replaced by 'tore' except in archaic or biblical contexts.
• Rhymes for tare
Word Origin & Etymology
The weight sense derives from Middle French 'tare' (wastage in goods or deficiency), borrowed via Italian from Arabic 'tarha' ('that which is thrown away or deducted'). The botanical sense comes independently from Middle English 'tare', related to Middle Dutch 'tarwe' ('wheat').