table|ware /te I b ə lweə r / N‑UNCOUNT Tableware consists of the objects used on the table at meals, for example plates, glasses, or cutlery. [FORMAL ]
ta |ble wine (table wines ) N‑VAR Table wine is fairly cheap wine that is drunk with meals.
tab|loid /tæ blɔ I d/ (tabloids ) N‑COUNT A tabloid is a newspaper that has small pages, short articles, and lots of photographs. Tabloids are often considered to be less serious than other newspapers. Compare broadsheet .
ta|boo /tæbuː / (taboos ) N‑COUNT If there is a taboo on a subject or activity, it is a social custom to avoid doing that activity or talking about that subject, because people find them embarrassing or offensive. □ The topic of addiction remains something of a taboo. ● ADJ Taboo is also an adjective. □ Cancer is a taboo subject and people are frightened to talk openly about it.
tabu|late /tæ bjʊle I t/ (tabulates , tabulating , tabulated ) VERB To tabulate information means to arrange it in columns on a page so that it can be analysed. □ [be V -ed] Results for the test program haven't been tabulated.
tacho|graph /tæ kəgrɑːf, -græf/ (tachographs ) N‑COUNT A tachograph is a device that is put in vehicles such as lorries and coaches in order to record information such as how fast the vehicle goes, how far it travels, and the number of breaks the driver takes. [BRIT ]
tac|it /tæ s I t/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you refer to someone's tacit agreement or approval, you mean they are agreeing to something or approving it without actually saying so, often because they are unwilling to admit to doing so. □ The question was a tacit admission that a mistake had indeed been made. ● tac|it|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ He tacitly admitted that the government had breached regulations.
taci|turn /tæ s I tɜː r n/ ADJ A taciturn person does not say very much and can seem unfriendly. □ A taciturn man, he replied to my questions in monosyllables.
tack /tæ k/ (tacks , tacking , tacked )
1 N‑COUNT A tack is a short nail with a broad, flat head, especially one that is used for fastening carpets to the floor.
2 → see also thumbtack
3 to get down to brass tacks → see brass
4 VERB If you tack something to a surface, you pin it there with tacks or drawing pins. □ [V n + to ] He had tacked this note to her door. □ [V n with adv] She had recently taken a poster from the theatre and tacked it up on the wall.
5 N‑SING If you change tack or try a different tack , you try a different method for dealing with a situation. □ In desperation I changed tack. □ This report takes a different tack from the 20 that have come before.
6 VERB If a sailing boat is tacking or if the people in it tack it, it is sailing towards a particular point in a series of sideways movements rather than in a straight line. □ [V ] We were tacking fairly close inshore. □ [V n] The helmsman could tack the boat singlehanded. [Also V n prep/adv]
7 VERB If you tack pieces of material together, you sew them together with big, loose stitches in order to hold them firmly or check that they fit, before sewing them properly. □ [V n with together ] Tack them together with a 1.5 cm seam. □ [V n prep/adv] Tack the cord around the cushion.
▸ tack on PHRASAL VERB If you say that something is tacked on to something else, you think that it is added in a hurry and in an unsatisfactory way. □ [be V -ed P + to ] The child-care bill is to be tacked on to the budget plan. [Also V n P ]
tack|le ◆◇◇ /tæ k ə l/ (tackles , tackling , tackled )
1 VERB If you tackle a difficult problem or task, you deal with it in a very determined or efficient way. □ [V n] The first reason to tackle these problems is to save children's lives.
2 VERB If you tackle someone in a game such as hockey or football, you try to take the ball away from them. If you tackle someone in rugby or American football, you knock them to the ground. □ [V n] Foley tackled the quarterback. ● N‑COUNT Tackle is also a noun. □ [+ by ] …a tackle by full-back Brian Burrows.
3 VERB If you tackle someone about a particular matter, you speak to them honestly about it, usually in order to get it changed or done. □ [V n + about ] I tackled him about how anyone could live amidst so much poverty.
4 VERB If you tackle someone, you attack them and fight them. □ [V n] He claims his attacker overtook and tackled him, pushing him into the dirt.
5 N‑UNCOUNT Tackle is the equipment that you need for a sport or activity, especially fishing. □ …fishing tackle.
tacky /tæ ki/ (tackier , tackiest )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something as tacky , you dislike it because it is cheap and badly made or vulgar. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ …a woman in a fake leopard-skin coat and tacky red sunglasses.
2 ADJ If something such as paint or glue is tacky , it is slightly sticky and not yet dry. □ Test to see if the finish is tacky, and if it is, leave it to harden.
taco /tæ koʊ/ (tacos ) N‑COUNT A taco is a crispy Mexican pancake made from corn and eggs, which is folded and filled with meat, vegetables, and a spicy sauce.
tact /tæ kt/ N‑UNCOUNT Tact is the ability to avoid upsetting or offending people by being careful not to say or do things that would hurt their feelings. □ On this occasion the press have not been intrusive and they have shown great tact.
tact|ful /tæ ktfʊl/ ADJ If you describe a person or what they say as tactful you approve of them because they are careful not to offend or upset another person. [APPROVAL ] □ [+ in ] He had been extremely tactful in dealing with the financial question. ● tact|ful|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ Alex tactfully refrained from further comment.