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Webster 1913 Edition


Taut

Taut

,
Adj.
[Dan.
tæt
; 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.

Definition 2024


taut

taut

See also: taut- and ta ut

English

Alternative forms

  • taght, tacht (Scotland)

Adjective

taut (comparative tauter, superlative tautest)

  1. Tight; under tension, as in a rope or bow string.
  2. Experiencing stress or anxiety.
    • 1989 Faye Kellerman, The Quality of Mercy
      His outward appearance was calm, but inside he was very taut.
  3. Containing only relevant parts, brief and controlled.
    • 2007 Milton C. Sernett, Harriet Tubman: Myth, Memory and History
      Quick action and dialogue create a taut story, although it is illustration that shapes the characters.

Translations

Derived terms

Synonyms

tense


German

Pronunciation

  • Rhymes: -aʊ̯t

Verb

taut

  1. Third-person singular present of tauen.
  2. Second-person plural present of tauen.
  3. Imperative plural of tauen.

Hungarian

Etymology

tau + -t

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): [ˈtɒut]
  • Hyphenation: ta‧ut

Noun

taut

  1. accusative singular of tau