from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Tartar \Tar"tar\, n. [F. tartre (cf. Pr. tartari, Sp., Pg., &
It. tartaro, LL. tartarum, LGr. ?); perhaps of Arabic
origin.]
1. (Chem.) A reddish crust or sediment in wine casks,
consisting essentially of crude cream of tartar, and used
in marking pure cream of tartar, tartaric acid, potassium
carbonate, black flux, etc., and, in dyeing, as a mordant
for woolen goods; -- called also {argol}, {wine stone},
etc.
[1913 Webster]
2. A correction which often incrusts the teeth, consisting of
salivary mucus, animal matter, and phosphate of lime.
[1913 Webster]
{Cream of tartar}. (Chem.) See under {Cream}.
{Tartar emetic} (Med. Chem.), a double tartrate of potassium
and basic antimony. It is a poisonous white crystalline
substance having a sweetish metallic taste, and used in
medicine as a sudorific and emetic.
[1913 Webster]