tattoo

Meanings

Noun

• 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).
• A signal played five minutes before taps (lights out).
• A signal by drum or bugle ordering soldiers to return to their quarters.
• A military display or pageant.
• A pony of a certain breed from India.

Verb

• To apply a tattoo to (someone or something).
• To hit the ball hard, as if to figuratively leave a tattoo on the ball.
• To tap rhythmically on, to drum.

Origin

• From earlier tattaow, tattow, a borrowing from a language, e.g. Samoan tatau ("tattoo; to tap, to strike").
• From earlier tap-to, borrowed from Dutch taptoe, from tap + toe. More at tap, to.
• From Hindi टट्टू.