tartan (redirected from Tartain)

Tartan, in the Bible

Tartan (tär`tăn), in the Bible, official title of two Assyrians sent to Hezekiah by Sennacherib and Sargon.

---

tartan, pattern

tartan: see plaid.

---

tartan

Royal Stuart (Stewart) tartan.

(credit: The Scottish Tartans Society/Museum)

Cross-checkered repeating pattern (or “sett”) of bands, stripes, or lines of various colours and of definite width and sequence, woven into woolen cloth, sometimes with silk added. Such patterns have existed for centuries in many cultures but have come to be regarded as fundamentally Scottish and as a quasi-heraldic Scottish family or clan emblem. Though claims of great antiquity have been made for Scottish tartans, few seem to predate the 17th or even 18th century as clan emblems. The Scottish Tartans Society (founded 1963) maintains a register of all known tartans, numbering about 1,300.

---

tartan¹

1. 

a. a design of straight lines, crossing at right angles to give a chequered appearance, esp the distinctive design or designs associated with each Scottish clan

b. (as modifier): a tartan kilt

2. a woollen fabric or garment with this design

---

tartan²

a single-masted vessel used in the Mediterranean, usually with a lateen sail

---

TARTAN - A simple language proposed to meet the Ironman requirements. ["TARTAN - Language Design for the Ironman Requirements: Reference Manual", Mary Shaw et al, SIGPLAN Notices 13(9):36-58 (Sep 1978)].