Tartar \Tar"tar\, n. [F. tartre (cf. Pr. tartari, Sp., Pg., &
   It. tartaro, LL. tartarum, LGr. ?); perhaps of Arabic
   origin.]
   1. (Chem.) A reddish crust or sediment in wine casks,
      consisting essentially of crude cream of tartar, and used
      in marking pure cream of tartar, tartaric acid, potassium
      carbonate, black flux, etc., and, in dyeing, as a mordant
      for woolen goods; -- called also {argol}, {wine stone},
      etc.
      
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   2. A correction which often incrusts the teeth, consisting of
      salivary mucus, animal matter, and phosphate of lime.
      
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   {Cream of tartar}. (Chem.) See under {Cream}.

   {Tartar emetic} (Med. Chem.), a double tartrate of potassium
      and basic antimony. It is a poisonous white crystalline
      substance having a sweetish metallic taste, and used in
      medicine as a sudorific and emetic.
      
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Tartar \Tar"tar\, n.
   1. [Per. T[=a]t[=a]r, of Tartar origin.] A native or
      inhabitant of Tartary in Asia; a member of any one of
      numerous tribes, chiefly Moslem, of Turkish origin,
      inhabiting the Russian Europe; -- written also, more
      correctly but less usually, {Tatar}.
      
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   2. A person of a keen, irritable temper.
      
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   {To catch a tartar}, to lay hold of, or encounter, a person
      who proves too strong for the assailant. [Colloq.]
      
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Tartar \Tar"tar\, a.
   Of or pertaining to Tartary in Asia, or the Tartars.
   
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Tartar \Tar"tar\, n. [Cf. F. tartare.]
   See {Tartarus}. --Shak.
   
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