Tattoo
Tattoo , noun
[Earlier taptoo, Dutch taptoe; tap a tap, faucet + toe to, shut (i. e., the taps, or drinking houses, shut from the soldiers).]
(Military) A beat of drum, or sound of a trumpet or bugle, at night, giving notice to soldiers to retreat, or to repair to their quarters in garrison, or to their tents in camp.
Collocations (1)
The Devil's tattoo , See under Devil.
Tattoo , transitive verb
[Of Polynesian origin; compare New Zealand ta to tattoo, tatu puncturation (in Otaheite).]
To color, as the flesh, by pricking in coloring matter, so as to form marks or figures which can not be washed out.
Tattoo ({not transcribed}) , noun
An indelible mark or figure made by puncturing the skin and introducing some pigment into the punctures; -- a mode of ornamentation practiced by various barbarous races, both in ancient and modern times, and also by some among civilized nations, especially by sailors.