tattoo

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   An image made on a body part, usually the skin with ink and a needle.

   His shirt sleeves were turned up, so upon his brawny arms his tattooes were visible.

2. 2
   verb

   To apply a tattoo to (someone or something).

   She made Silas tattoo an anchor on her arm like his

3. 3
   verb

   To hit the ball hard, as if to figuratively leave a tattoo on the ball.

   Jones tattoos one into the gap in left; that will clear the bases.

4. 4
   noun

   A signal played five minutes before taps (lights out).

   Study goes on until tattoo, which, when Pops was at the Point, was sounded at 9.30, followed by taps at 10.

5. 5
   noun

   A signal by drum or bugle ordering soldiers to return to their quarters.

   The bumblebee's mane glowed in the morning light—each hair sharp and distinct to Eragon—and its blurred wings generated a gentle bombilation, like a tattoo played on a drum.

6. 6
   noun

   A rhythmic tapping.

   the right hand became restless and began to beat out a silent tattoo upon the tabletop

7. 7
   verb

   To tap rhythmically on, to drum.

   He had looked at the clock many scores of times; and at the street, where the rain was pattering down, and the people as they clinked by in pattens, left long reflections on the shining stone: he tattooed at the table: he bit his nails most completely […]

8. 8
   noun

   the practice of making a design on the skin by pricking and staining

Etymology

From earlier tap-to, borrowed from Dutch taptoe, from tap (“tap; faucet on a cask”) + toe (“to; shut”). More at tap, to.