Tattoo

/tæˈtuː/ · noun

Meaning

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

Definitions by Sense

1. An image made on a body part, usually the skin with ink and a needle.
2. A method of decorating a body part, usually the skin, by inserting colored substances under the surface with a sharp instrument (usually a solenoid-driven needle).
3. To apply a tattoo to (someone or something).
4. (baseball) To hit the ball hard, as if to figuratively leave a tattoo on the ball.
5. (nautical) A signal played five minutes before taps (lights out).
6. (military) A signal by drum or bugle ordering soldiers to return to their quarters.
7. (military) A military display or pageant.
8. A rhythmic tapping.

Example Sentences

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

Nothing pleases a Burman more than to be asked to show his tattooes. He is as delighted as a collector of curios in England. They consist of a series of pictures of tigers, lions, elephants, dragons, demons, and what-not, surrounded by mottoes invoking good fortune, and round waist and knees the whole is framed by a neat floral or scroll pattern.

Almost a century and a half after the De Soto Expedition, Joutel (Cox, 1905, II: 139–140), one of La Salle’s men, reacted to the Caddoes in much the same way as had De la Vega, finding their tattooes particularly repulsive. The Caddoes used needles or other sharp-pointed objects to prick the skin until the blood flowed, and then rubbed powdered charcoal into the wounds. When the wounds healed, the charcoal remaining under the skin made striking tattooes.

Victor was spot on, of course; in fact, I have often been tempted to seek him out when I have been plagued by diseases of the heart. He'd be able to tell me in ten seconds whether someone was worth a tattoo or not.

And here's a solution to an age old tattoo problem. If your girlfriend's name, say, "Suzie," is tattooed on your arm, and you break up with her, don't have the tattoo removed. Just have the tattoo reworked so it says, "Fuck Suzie."

And when they do, readers may find themselves on an unfamiliar website with an odd name, faced with a photo gallery of regrettable tattoos or a listicle on 22 celebrities with ugly spouses.

She made Silas tattoo an anchor on her arm like his

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

Synonyms for tattoo

Antonyms for tattoo

Related Words

Word Forms

• tattoos
• tattooes
• tattooing
• tattooed
• tattu

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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