You searched for: “tattoo
tattoo, tattoo
tattoo (ta TOO) (noun)
1. A signal sounded on a drum or bugle to summon soldiers or sailors to their quarters at night: "The officer played the tattoo prior to the call for lights out for the night."
2. A display of military exercises offered as evening entertainment: "When we were in England, we attended the Tattoo at the castle in London."
tattoo (ta TOO) (noun)
1. A permanent mark or design made on the skin by a process of pricking and ingraining an indelible pigment or by raising scars: "The old sailor had a tattoo on his right arm that read 'MOTHER'."
2. A design made on the skin with a temporary dye such as henna or ink: "For the masked ball, we dressed like bikers including having a temporary tattoo on each of our arms."

When we attended the tattoo at the castle in the medieval city, we noticed that one of the bagpipe players had an intriguing tattoo on his leg.

(Greek > Latin: mark, reproach; shame, disgrace; from Greek, puncture; brand; tattoo mark; point)
Word Entries at Get Words: “tattoo
tattoo (s) (noun), tattoos (pl)
1. A word, picture, etc. which is drawn on a person's skin by using a needle and ink: Henrietta had a tattoo of her husband's name on the back of her right shoulder.

The removal of a tattoo is usually difficult and it is not always satisfactory; because, a big scar almost always results.

Sometimes doctors treat small tattoos by completely removing the colored area of the skin and stitching the wound together at the edges.

2. A fast rhythmic beat: The rain could be heard hitting a tattoo on the roof of the back porch.

A continuous rhythmical beating tattoo was being made on a drum by the musicians.

3. An outdoor performance in the evening with music and marching by members of a military group: The local army unit was entertaining the local citizens in the evening at the summer fest with special tattoos.
4. Etymology: from Dutch taptoe, "to shut the tap (of a beer barrel)"; a signal at closing time in the taverns. Originally, "a signal for military people, or soldiers, to return to their quarters".
This entry is located in the following unit: English Words in Action, Group T (page 2)
tattoo (verb), tattoos; tattooed; tattooing
Introducing permanent colors under the surface of the skin to make decorative designs on the skin: People who were tattooed even as far back as a thousand years ago, had it done originally as a means of identification.

When the skins of people are tattooed, even by professionals, it is potentially dangerous; especially, if the person who tattoos does not follow strict sterile procedures because hepatitis and AIDS can be transmitted through the needles that introduce the dyes.

This entry is located in the following unit: English Words in Action, Group T (page 2)