tattoo
tattoo Lexical Profile
tattoo Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A permanent mark or design made on the skin by a process of pricking and ingraining an indelible pigment.
"She decided to get a small tattoo of a swallow on her wrist to commemorate her travels."
A continuous rhythmic tapping or drumming, or historically a military bugle or drum call sounded at night to recall soldiers to their quarters.
"The anxious man beat a restless tattoo with his fingers on the surface of the wooden desk."
• verb
To mark a person or a part of the body with a permanent design by inserting pigment into punctures in the skin.
"The artist carefully tattooed a complex geometric pattern onto the client's forearm."
Word Nuance & Usage
The word 'tattoo' represents two entirely distinct concepts with separate etymologies: the body modification (from Polynesian) and the rhythmic military drumbeat (from Dutch).
• Rhymes for tattoo
Word Origin & Etymology
The body art sense originates from the mid-18th century, adopted from Polynesian languages (such as Tahitian 'tatau'). The military drumbeat sense originates from the 17th century Dutch 'taptoe', meaning 'close the tap' of the cask, used to signal taverns to close and soldiers to return to quarters.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.