tartar

/ˈtɑrtər/
noun
  1. A hard, yellowish deposit that forms on teeth when plaque hardens.
    • The dentist scraped off the tartar during my cleaning appointment.
    • If you don't floss, tartar can form along the gum line.
    • Brushing twice a day helps prevent tartar buildup on your teeth.
  2. A substance used in cooking, especially cream of tartar, which is a white powder used to stabilize egg whites or activate baking soda.
    • Cream of tartar is often used in snickerdoodle cookies for a tangy flavor.
    • Add a pinch of cream of tartar to the egg whites to help them form stiff peaks.
    • This recipe calls for baking soda and cream of tartar to make the cookies rise.
  3. A person who is fierce, violent, or difficult to deal with (often used in the phrase 'catch a tartar').
    • When he argued with the referee, he didn't realize he was catching a tartar.
    • My grandmother could be a tartar when she was in a bad mood.
    • The new coach turned out to be a real tartar, pushing the team harder than ever.
What does "tartar" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean