taw

¹

[ taw ]

noun

1. a choice or fancy marble used as a shooter.
2. a game in which marbles are arranged in the center of a circle drawn or scratched on the ground, the object being to knock out as many as possible from the circle; ringer.
3. Also taw line. the line from which the players shoot.

verb (used without object)

1. to shoot a marble.

taw

²

[ taw ]

verb (used with object)

1. to prepare or dress (some raw material) for use or further manipulation.
2. to transform (the skin of an animal) into white leather by the application of minerals, emulsions, etc.
3. Archaic. to flog; thrash.

taw

³

[ tahv, tawv, tahf, tawf ]

noun

1. tav.

taw

¹

/ tɔː /

verb

1. to convert (skins) into white leather by treatment with mineral salts, such as alum and salt, rather than by normal tanning processes
2. archaic.
   to flog; beat

taw

²

/ tɔː /

noun

1. the line from which the players shoot in marbles
2. back to taws informal.
   back to the beginning
3. a large marble used for shooting
4. a game of marbles

Derived Forms

• ˈtawer, noun

Other Words From

• tawer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of taw¹

First recorded in 1700–10; origin uncertain

Origin of taw²

First recorded before 900; Middle English tauen, tawen, Old English tawian “to prepare or treat hide,” cognate with Dutch touwen “to tan, prepare leather,” Gothic taujan “to do, make”

Word History and Origins

Origin of taw¹

Old English tawian; compare Old High German zouwen to prepare, Gothic taujan to make

Origin of taw²

C18: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

He drew a line for taw and lay on his stomach to take aim for the first hole.

From Literature

The Wart taw that the most perfect breakfast was laid out neatly for two, on a table before the window.

From Literature

Dogs were low down the list of problems; plus there was a commercial incentive to pick up dog faeces because tanneries used it to taw skins.

From The Guardian

But the taw law is an endless tangle of floors and thresholds and limitations, and a Bronco looking to secure a tax deduction for his gas-passing will  have to contend with Section 67.

From Forbes

Low taw rates in Luxembourg and Dutch tax treaties are a factor behind unemployment in other countries.

From Forbes