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5 dictionary results for: Taut

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

taut

[tawt] Pronunciation Key,

–adjective, -er, -est.

1.	tightly drawn; tense; not slack.

2.	emotionally or mentally strained or tense: taut nerves.

3.	in good order or condition; tidy; neat.

[Origin: 1275–1325; earlier taught, ME tought; akin to tow¹

]

—Related forms

tautly, adverb

tautness, noun

—Synonyms 3. trim, trig, spruce, smart.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

taut (tôt) Pronunciation Key
adj. taut·er, taut·est

Pulled or drawn tight; not slack. See Synonyms at tight.
Strained; tense: nerves taut with anxiety.
1. Kept in trim shape; neat and tidy.
2. Marked by the efficient, sparing, or concise use of something, such as language or detail: a taut movie script.

[Middle English tohte, distended, perhaps ultimately from Old English togian, to drag; see tow¹.]

taut'ly adv., taut'ness n.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
taut

c.1325, tohte, possibly from tog-, pp. stem of O.E. teon "to pull, drag," from P.Gmc. *tugn, from PIE *deuk- "to lead" (see duke).

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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

taut
adjective
1.	pulled or drawn tight; "taut sails"; "a tight drumhead"; "a tight rope"
2.	subjected to great tension; stretched tight; "the skin of his face looked drawn and tight"; "her nerves were taut as the strings of a bow"

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Taut

Taut\, a. [Dan. t[ae]t; akin to E. tight. See Tight.]

1. (Naut.) Tight; stretched; not slack; -- said esp. of a rope that is tightly strained.

2. Snug; close; firm; secure.

Taut hand (Naut.), a sailor's term for an officer who is severe in discipline.

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