tantrum 
tantrum (tan'trntn), . [Also cliul. litnliiiii ; 
perhaps < \V. luiil, a icust nf passion. :i sudden 
start nl' impulse, a whim, lit. tension; akin In 
\t. li-nilrrr. stroicli, linni.s K. thin, etc.: sec 
ti'iiitl. \ A burnt of ill hiininr : :i ilisplay of tem- 
per; an ill-nut iircil caprice. 
The Duke went to liim [Mir K'inn], when lie thrru him 
self into a terrilili- Imilnnn, and was so violent nnil irrl- 
tahlc that they were oliliui'd In let him have his own way 
for ft-ar he Khonlil !>< ill, u tiirh they thought he would 
oihcrui.4ee<Ttaiul> he. Nov. 20, 1829. 
However, ih([01dnclil| did this much fur our poor pool ; 
when sin- found she hud succeeded In banishing him, she 
went Into her tantrum*, and snapped at and scratched 
everybody else that was kind to her. C. lleade, Art, p. 250. 
tantum (tan'tum), . See tantrum. [Prov. 
Kng.l 
Tantum Ergo (tan'tum 6r'go). [80 called from 
these words in the hymn : L. tantum (siirraim /<- 
linn), so great (a sacrament); cri/o, therefore: 
see ergo.] 1. In the Rom. < 'nth. litHfiiy, the last 
t wo si an/.as of the hymn of Aquinas, beginning 
I'ange lingua gloriosi corporis mysterinm." 
which arc sung when the eucharist is Carrie. 1 in 
procession and in the office of benediction. 
2. A musical setting of these stanzas. 
tan-turf (tan'terf), n. Same as ttni-hnlla. 
There is a tradition . . . that during tho prevalence of 
the plague in London the houses where the tan-turf was 
used in a great measure escaped that awful visitation. 
Mayhew, London Labour and London Poor, II. 99. 
tanty (tan'ti), . ; pi. t(tiities(-tiz,). [Hind, tdnl, 
a loom.] The Hindu loom, consisting of a 
bamboo frame, a pair of heddles moved by 
loops, in which the great toes of the operator 
are inserted, a needle which sews as a shuttle, 
and a lay. E. H. Kiiiijlit. 
tan-vat (tan'vat). . [Formerly also tan-fat; 
< tun 1 + rat, f aft.] A tanners vat in which 
the hides are steeped in a solution of tannin. 
tanya (tan'ya), . [Prob. a corruption of funnier, 
a \V. Indian name of a similar plant: see ten- 
nice.] The eddoes or taro, Coloca#ia antiquorum. 
[Southern U. S. ; West Indies.] 
tan-yard (tan'yiird), . A yard or inclosuro 
where the tanning of leather is carried on. 
Tanygnathus (ta-nig'na-thus), n. [NL. (Wag- 
ler, 18112), < Gr. Tut&w, stretch (see </'!), + 
, jaw.] A notable genus of parrakeets, of 
6186 
Tanygnathtts mtgnlorhynchtu. 
Malayan and Papuan regions, related to the 
ring-parrots, with a comparatively long and 
slender upper mandible. There are several 
species, as T. mi'i/iilrhi/iicliiis. 
Tanysiptera (tan'-i-sip'tp-ra), . [NL. (N. A. 
Vigors, IS'Jf)), < Gr. rawaitrrfpof, with out- 
stretched wings, < ravveiv, stretch, + irrepAv, 
feather.] A genus of kingfishers, of the fam- 
ily Alfiiliniilir and subfamily Daceloninte. The 
Mil Is shorter than the tail, with' smooth rounded cul- 
nicn, and the tall feathers are only ten in numlier, of 
which the middle pair are narrow and long-exserted. 
There are 12 or 14 species, nearly or quite confined to the 
Australian and 1'apuan regions. The name refers to the 
long acuminate tail. Also called Uralcyan. 
Tanystomata (tau-i-sto'ma-tii), n. pi. [NL., 
< (Jr. rannr. stretch, + artSfta, mouth.] In La- 
treille's system of classification, the second 
family of Itiptrra. It is not exactly coincident with 
any modern family, but agrees to some extent with the 
ti'inii'luetous division of brachycerous Hies. See Tabani- 
da>, (jfulfly. Also T<iu>/xt"i/>'i 
tanystpme (tan'i-stom). . A fly of the divi- 
sion Tiiiii/vtiiiiitttii. as :i gadlly, breey.e, or cleg. 
See T<l/i(lniil;r. 
tanystomine (ta-]iis'lo-min),. Same as In III/K- 
tanystomous (ta-nis'to i.msi. . [< NL. t,i,,,/- 
ftttiniil.* ; < Gr. Tin -inr, stretch. + cruiiu, mouth.] 
Having a long beak, as a gadfly ; of or pertain- 
ing to I lie 'I'inii/.iliiiiiata. 
tanzib, . See tun/Hi. 
tanzimat (tan'zi-mat), w. [Turk., < Ar., pi. of 
taiixini. a regulation.] An organic statute for 
the government of the Turkish empire, issued 
by the Sultan Abdul Medjid in ]s:i<), and also 
called the Hatti-shrrifof tiiilliiim '. n :iti. mpi. ! 
to provide for Increased security of life and property, 
for equitable taxation, and for reforms In the military 
ervice. 
Taoism (tii'o-izm or tou'i/m), H. [< Chinese 
tan, the way. + -ism.] The doctrine of l.:n>- 
ts/.e, an ancient Chinese philosopher (about 
500 B. c.), as laid down by him in the Tao-te- 
king. It is generally reckoned as one of the 
three religions of China. 
Taoist (ta'o-ist or tou'ist), n. [< Tim-ism + 
-i.it.] An adherent of Taoism. 
Taoistic (tii-6- or tou-is'tik), a. Pertaining to 
Taoism. (,''"' '"'.'/ #<?"-, CXXVII. 101. 
Taonurus (ta-6-nu'rus), w. [NL. (Fischer- 
Ooster, 1858), ^ Gr. rauf (rauv), a peacock (see 
7>en 2 ), + ovpa, tail.] A genus of fossil plants 
occurring in large numbers in tho Swiss flysch 
(which see). It has the form of a membranaceous f rond 
twisted spirally and ribbed, the ribs being curved or 
scythe-shaped, and converging to the borders, which are 
either free, naked, or attached on one side or all around 
to the axis or Its branches. Lesquereux has described 
plants referred by him to this genus from the Carbonifer- 
ous of Pennsylvania, Aleetontrug, Spirophyton (which 
see), Phygophyeug, Taonumn, and Cancellophycus are all 
names of supposed genera Included by Schimper in the 
group of Aleetoruridea, or cock's-tail algsc, so called 
from the resemblance of the ribbed fronds, as spread 
out on the surface of the rock, to the arrangement of the 
feathers in that familiar fonn. See eauda galli (under 
eauda). 
tao-tai (tii'6-ti'), w. [Chinese, < too, circuit, + 
t'ai, a title of respect given to certain high pro- 
vincial officers.] A high provincial officer in 
China, who has control over all civil and mili- 
tary affairs of a too, or circuit, containing two 
or more/i<, or departments, the officers of which 
are accountable to him. By foreigners he is usu- 
ally styled intendant of circuit. In circuits containing a 
treaty port he is also superintendent of trade, and has 
as his associate a foreign commissioner of customs of the 
same rank. By treaty stipulation all foreign consuls rank 
with the tao-tai. 
Taouism, Taouist. Same as Taoism, Taoist. 
tap 1 (tap), n. [< ME. tappe, teppe, < AS. tieppa 
= OKries. tap = D. tap = MLG. tappe = OHG. 
:np1io, MHG. :apfc, G. :apfe, :apfcn = Icel. 
tappi = Sw. tapp = Dan. tap, a tap, plug, 
faucet. Hence tap*, v., and ult. tampion, tam- 
pon, tamp.] 1. A movable wooden plug or 
stopper used to close the opening through 
which liquor is drawn from a cask. 
For slkerly whan I was bore anon 
Deeth drough the tappe of lyf and leet it gon, 
And ever slthe hath so the tappe yronne, 
Til that almoost al empty is the tonne. 
Chaucer, Prol. to Reeve's Tale, 1. 38. 
The tit i> went in, and the cider immediately squirted out 
in a horizontal shower. 
T. Hardy, Under the Greenwood Tree, ii. 
2. A faucet or cock through which liquor can 
be drawn from a cask. Compare spigot. 3. 
The liquor which is drawn through a tap: used 
to denote a particular quality, brew, or vintage. 
[Colloq.] 
Never brew wi' bad malt upo' Michaelmas day, else you'll 
have a poor tap. George Eliot, Mill on the Floss, I. 3. 
4. An instrument employed for cutting tho 
threads of internal screws or nuts. It consists 
simply of an external screw of the required size, formed 
of steel, and more or leas tapered, parts of the threads 
being filed away in order to present a series of cutting 
edges. This, being screwed Into the nut in the manner 
of an ordinary bolt, forms the thread required. Taps are 
usually made In sets of three. The first, called the enter- 
ing tap or taper tap, generally tapers regularly through- 
out its length ; the second, or middle tap. sometimes ta- 
pers, but is usually cylindrical, with two or three tapering 
threads at the end ; the third, called the plufl-tap or fin- 
ithimj tap, is always cylindrical, with the first two or 
three threads tapering off. See cut under terete-tap. 
On tap. (n) Ready to be drawn and served, as liquor 
in u cask in distinction from liquor in bottles. (6) 
Tapped and furnished with a spigot or a tap, as a barrel 
or cask containing liquor. Pipe-tap, In nireh., a taper 
tap made in any one of the nominal sizes suitable for tap- 
ping holes or fittings for receiving the screw-threaded 
. ".I- of iron pipes such as are used in the arts of steam- 
fitting and plumbing. These sizes are arbitrarily fixed, 
and are different front the actual sizes the nominal 
sizes corresponding with the internal diameters of pipes, 
whereas the actual sizes are the same as those of the stan- 
dard externally threaded ends of the pipes. (See also hot- 
tvminy-tap.) 
tap 
tap 1 (tap), '. ; prct. and pp. ///./ <'. ppr. '"/ 
; Ml-:. tii/i/itH, < AS. liippnii Ml). I). >nj>inn 
= MLG. L<!. In /' in a --<'. :"/'." a = Icel. Sw. l<l/i- 
pa = Dan. la/'in-, tap; from the noun : sec fy;l. 
//. Hence lii/i.-ti/-, etc.] I. trims. 1. Todraw 
the lap or plug from (a cask) so as to let the 
lii|iior How out; hence, to broach or pierce (a 
; in general, to pierce so as to let out a con- 
tained liquid. 
Wait with patience t ill I In 1 1 nir become* troublesome, 
and then tap it with a lancet. Sharpe, Surgery. 
The best form of instrument for (;/;// tin- pleura or 
peritoneal cavity. Quoin, Mi-d. liict , p. 1001. 
Specifically (a) To pierce (a cask) for the purpose of 
testing or using the liquor. 
To taste the little barrel beyond compare that he '* go- 
Ing to tap. T. Hardy, Under the Greenwood Tree, II. 
(6) To make an Incision In (a tree or other plant) with a 
view to take some part of the sap : as, to tap the trunk of 
a maple-tree for the sap for making maple sugar. 
2. To cut into, penetrate, or reach for the pur- 
pose of drawing something out: as, to tap tele- 
graph-wires for the purpose of taking off a mes- 
Several branch lines leave the main route to tap collier- 
ies, which abound in the district. 
The Engineer, LXX. 323. 
Shothong . . . would speedily become the center of con- 
verging trade-routes tapptM all districts lying to the south 
of the Congo and Zanzibar districts. 
Quarterly Rev., CLXIII. ie. 
3. To cause to run out by broaching a vessel ; 
especially, to draw for the first time, as for ex- 
amination, or when the time has come for using 
the contents. 
He has been tappimj his liquors, while I have been spill- 
Ing my blood. Additon, Whig-Examiner, No. 3. 
II. in trans. To act as a drawer or tapster. 
I will entertain Bardolph ; he shall draw, he shall tap. 
Shale., M. W. of W., I. 3. 11. 
To tap the admiral, to broach surreptitiously a cask of 
liquor : from the story that when a certain admiral's body 
was being conveyed to England in spirits the sailors tap- 
ped the cask containing it, and drank the liquor. [Colloq. ] 
tap- (tap), v. ; pret. and pp. tapped, ppr. tappimj. 
[< ME. tappen, tcppcn, < OF. tapper, taper, tap, 
rap, strike, < MLG. tappen, tapen, LG. tappen = 
G. tappen, grope, fumble ; cf. Icel. tapua, tseptu, 
tap; cf. G. tappe, MHG. tape, foot, paw; origin 
unknown. Ct.tip'*.] I. trail*. 1. To strike light- 
ly with something small ; strike with a very 
slight blow ; pat. 
With a riding-whip 
Leisurely tappimj a glossy boot 
Tennytun, Maud, xiii. 
lie walked and tapped the pavement with his cane. 
Broirning, Uow it Strikes a Contemporary. 
2. To strike lightly with; hit some object a 
slight blow with. 
The by-standers began now to look at each other, nod, 
wink significantly, and tap their fingers against their fore- 
heads. Irving, Sketch-Book, p. 61. 
3. To peck or hack with the beak, as a wood- 
pecker a tree, or a nuthatch a nut ; break into 
or excavate with repeated blows. 4. To apply 
a thickness of leather upon, as a previously ex- 
isting sole or heel. Compare htel-tap. 
II. intrann. To strike a gentle blow; pat; rap. 
A jolly ghost, that shook 
ined in lobbies, tapt at doors. 
The curtains, whin 
Tennyson, Walking to the Mail 
tap 2 (tap), . [< ME. tappe, tape; < tap*, v.] 
1. A gentle blow; a slight blow, as with the 
fingers or a small thing. 
Gtf I the telle trwly, quen I the tape haue, 
& thou me smothely hatz smyten, smartly. 
Sir Qawayne and the Qreen Knight (V. E. T. S.),l. 400. 
This is the right fencing grace, my lord : tap tot tap, and 
so part fair. Shot., 2 Hen IV., it 1. 200. 
2. pi. Milit., a signal on a drum or trumpet, 
sounded about a quarter of an hour after tattoo, 
at which all lights in the soldiers' quarters must 
be extinguished. 3. A piece of leather fastened 
upon the bottom of a boot or shoe in repairing 
or renewing the sole or heel Tip for tap. See 
p2. 
tap 3 (tap), . [Abbr. of tap-house or top-room.] 
A tap-house or tap-room; also, the room in a 
tavern where liquor is drawn and served to 
guests. 
They would rush out Into the hands of enterprise and 
lalior like the other sort of loafer to a free tiiji. 
ff. A. Jtev., CXLIII. 57. 
tap 4 (tap), w. A Scotch form of topi. 
Oh leeze me on my spinning-wheel, . . . 
Frae tap to tae that eleeds me Men. 
Burtut, Bess and her Spinning- Wheel. 
Tap of tow. (a) The quantity of flax that Is made up Into 
a conical form to be put upon the distaff. 
(Jac spin your tap i> t,r .' 
Burtu, The Weary Fund o' Tow. 
