ta nk top (tank tops )
1 N‑COUNT A tank top is a knitted piece of clothing that covers the upper part of your body and has no sleeves. [BRIT ]
2 N‑COUNT A tank top is a soft cotton shirt with no sleeves, collar, or buttons. [AM ]
tan|ner /tæ nə r / (tanners ) N‑COUNT A tanner is someone whose job is making leather from animal skins.
tan|nin /tæ n I n/ N‑UNCOUNT Tannin is a yellow or brown chemical that is found in plants such as tea. It is used in the process of making leather and in dyeing.
Tan|noy /tæ nɔ I / N‑SING [oft over N ] A Tannoy is a system of loudspeakers used to make public announcements, for example at a fair or at a sports stadium. [BRIT , TRADEMARK ] in AM, use public address system
tan|ta|lize /tæ ntəla I z/ (tantalizes , tantalizing , tantalized ) in BRIT, also use tantalise VERB If someone or something tantalizes you, they make you feel hopeful and excited about getting what you want, usually before disappointing you by not letting you have what they appeared to offer. □ [V n] …the dreams of democracy that have so tantalized them. [Also V ] ● tan|ta|liz|ing ADJ □ A tantalising aroma of roast chicken fills the air. ● tan|ta|liz|ing|ly ADV [ADV adj, ADV with v] □ She went away disappointed after getting tantalisingly close to breaking the record.
tan|ta|mount /tæ ntəmaʊnt/ ADJ If you say that one thing is tantamount to a second, more serious thing, you are emphasizing how bad, unacceptable, or unfortunate the first thing is by comparing it to the second. [FORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ [+ to ] What Bracey is saying is tantamount to heresy.
tan|tric /tæ ntr I k/ also Tantric ADJ [ADJ n] Tantric is used to describe things relating to or connected with a particular movement in Buddhism and Hinduism. □ …tantric yoga.
tan|trum /tæ ntrəm/ (tantrums ) N‑COUNT If a child has a tantrum , they lose their temper in a noisy and uncontrolled way. If you say that an adult is throwing a tantrum , you are criticizing them for losing their temper and acting in a childish way. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ He immediately threw a tantrum, screaming and stomping up and down like a child.
Taoi|seach /tiː ʃək/ N‑SING The prime minister of the Republic of Ireland is called the Taoiseach .
Tao|ism /taʊ I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Taoism is a Chinese religious philosophy which believes that people should lead a simple honest life and not interfere with the course of natural events.
tap ◆◇◇ /tæ p/ (taps , tapping , tapped )
1 N‑COUNT A tap is a device that controls the flow of a liquid or gas from a pipe or container, for example on a sink. [mainly BRIT ] □ She turned on the taps. □ …a cold-water tap. in AM, use faucet 2 VERB If you tap something, you hit it with a quick light blow or a series of quick light blows. □ [V n] He tapped the table to still the shouts of protest. □ [V adv/prep] Grace tapped on the bedroom door and went in. ● N‑COUNT Tap is also a noun. □ [+ on/at ] A tap on the door interrupted him and Sally Pierce came in.
3 VERB If you tap your fingers or feet, you make a regular pattern of sound by hitting a surface lightly and repeatedly with them, especially while you are listening to music. □ [V n] The song's so catchy it makes you bounce round the living room or tap your feet.
4 VERB If you tap a resource or situation, you make use of it by getting from it something that you need or want. □ [V n] He owes his election to having tapped deep public disillusion with professional politicians. □ [V n + for ] The company is tapping shareholders for £15.8 million. □ [V + into ] The utility group has launched the company in an attempt to tap into the market for green energy.
5 VERB If someone taps your phone, they attach a special device to the line so that they can secretly listen to your conversations. □ [V n] The government passed laws allowing the police to tap phones. ● N‑COUNT [oft n N ] Tap is also a noun. □ He assured MPs that they were not subjected to phone taps.
6 → see also phone-tapping , wiretap
7 PHRASE If drinks are on tap , they come from a tap rather than from a bottle. □ Filtered water is always on tap, making it very convenient to use.
8 PHRASE If something is on tap , you can have as much of it as you want whenever you want. [INFORMAL ] □ The advantage of group holidays is company on tap but time alone if you want it.
tap|as /tæ pæs/ N‑PLURAL In Spain, tapas are small plates of food that are served with drinks or before a main meal.
ta p danc|er (tap dancers ) N‑COUNT A tap dancer is a dancer who does tap dancing.
ta p danc|ing also tap-dancing N‑UNCOUNT Tap dancing is a style of dancing in which the dancers wear special shoes with pieces of metal on the heels and toes. The shoes make loud sharp sounds as the dancers move their feet.
tape ◆◆◇ /te I p/ (tapes , taping , taped )
1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft on N ] Tape is a narrow plastic strip covered with a magnetic substance. It is used to record sounds, pictures, and computer information. □ Many students declined to be interviewed on tape.
2 N‑COUNT A tape is a cassette or spool with magnetic tape wound round it. □ Her brother once found an old tape of her music hidden in the back of a drawer.
3 VERB If you tape music, sounds, or television pictures, you record them so that you can watch or listen to them later. □ [V n] She has just taped an interview. □ [V ] He shouldn't be taping without the singer's permission. □ [V -ed] …taped evidence from prisoners.