tar

Etymology 1

From Middle English ter, terr, tarr, from Old English teoru, from Proto-West Germanic *teru, from Proto-Germanic *terwą (compare Saterland Frisian Taar, West Frisian tarre, tar, Dutch teer, German Teer), from Proto-Indo-European *derwo- (compare Welsh derw (“oaks”), Lithuanian dervà (“pinewood, resin”), Russian де́рево (dérevo, “tree”), Bulgarian дърво́ (dǎrvó, “tree”)), from *dóru (“tree”). More at tree.

noun

1. (usually uncountable) A black, oily, sticky, viscous substance, consisting mainly of hydrocarbons derived from organic materials such as wood, peat, or coal.
2. Coal tar.
3. (uncountable) A solid residual byproduct of tobacco smoke.
4. (slang, dated) A sailor, because of the traditional tarpaulin clothes.
   If there's one man that I admire, that man's a British tar. 1915, W. McMann, “Our Picture Show”, in Western Evening Herald
   Shines in all climates like a star; In senates bold, and fierce in war; A land commander, and a tar. August 10 1723, Jonathan Swift, To Charles Mordaunt, Earl of Peterborough
5. (uncountable) Black tar, a form of heroin.

verb

1. (transitive) To coat with tar.
2. (transitive) To besmirch.
   The allegations tarred his name, even though he was found innocent.
   Dr. Sign: In fact, maybe you think I should get credit, but if I do, Dr. Frendall will be scorned. You know why Dr. Ellsworth: Yes, I know. Your critics will tar him with the same brush as you. 1995, Paul Robinson, The Gate Contracts

Etymology 2

Abbreviation of tape archive.

noun

1. (computing) A program for archiving files, common on Unix systems.
2. (computing) A file produced by such a program.

verb

1. (computing, transitive) To create a tar archive.

Etymology 3

From Persian تار (târ).

noun

1. A Persian long-necked, waisted string instrument, shared by many cultures and countries in the Middle East and the Caucasus.

Etymology 4

From Arabic طار (ṭār).

noun

1. A single-headed round frame drum originating in North Africa and the Middle East.