tartar
B2formal/medical for dental term; informal/figurative for person description.
Definition
Meaning
A hard deposit that forms on teeth; a fierce or formidable person (metaphorical usage).
Also refers to a reddish-brown acidic salt used in cooking and as a component of baking powder, and historically, a member of the Turkic-Mongol Tatar tribes.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The primary modern meaning relates to dental calculus. The 'fierce person' meaning derives from the historical perception of Tartar (Tatar) warriors. The culinary term (cream of tartar) is a distinct chemical compound.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal difference in core meanings. The dental term is universal. 'Tartar sauce' (US) is more commonly 'sauce tartare' or simply 'tartare sauce' in UK contexts.
Connotations
Identical for dental and metaphorical uses.
Frequency
Dental term equally common. Metaphorical use ('a real tartar') is somewhat dated/idiomatic in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[subject] removes tartar[subject] is a tartartartar builds up [on something]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a tartar”
- “cream of tartar”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except potentially in metaphorical HR contexts ('the manager is a real tartar').
Academic
Common in dentistry/medicine. Appears in historical texts referring to Tartar peoples.
Everyday
Most common in dental hygiene contexts ('tartar control toothpaste'). Metaphorical use is idiomatic.
Technical
Specific term in dentistry (dental calculus/tartar) and chemistry (potassium bitartrate/cream of tartar).
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- The hygienist used an ultrasonic scaler to remove the stubborn tartar.
- My history teacher was an absolute tartar when it came to deadlines.
- You'll find the cream of tartar next to the baking soda.
American English
- Even with diligent brushing, some tartar still formed below the gumline.
- His grandmother was a sweet lady, but his grandfather was a real tartar.
- A pinch of cream of tartar stabilizes the egg whites for the meringue.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The dentist said I have tartar on my teeth.
- This toothpaste helps fight tartar.
- Regular cleaning is necessary to prevent tartar build-up.
- She can be a bit of a tartar if you're late with your work.
- Despite flossing daily, a significant amount of subgingival tartar had accumulated.
- The new headmistress gained a reputation as a tartar, but she vastly improved the school's standards.
- The chemical composition of dental tartar differs from that of mere plaque, incorporating mineralised components.
- His tartar-like demeanour in negotiations belied a fundamentally pragmatic approach to deal-making.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of TARTAR on TEETH: Tough, Adhered, Rocky Tartar Attacks Enamel, Relentlessly.
Conceptual Metaphor
HARD DEPOSIT IS A FIERCE PERSON (The toughness of dental tartar maps onto the unyielding character of a person).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- False friend: Russian 'тартар' (tartar) often refers to Tartar sauce or the mythological underworld (Tartarus), not primarily dental calculus. The dental term is 'зубной камень'.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'tarter'. Confusing 'tartar' (deposit/person) with 'tartare' (raw dish). Using 'tartar' for soft plaque.
Practice
Quiz
In a figurative sense, calling someone 'a tartar' suggests they are:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Plaque is a soft, sticky film of bacteria. If plaque is not removed, it can harden into tartar (calculus), which is much more difficult to remove.
The dental term comes from Greek 'tartaron', via Medieval Latin, referring to a hard deposit. The 'fierce person' meaning comes from 'Tatar', referring to the Mongol tribes historically feared by Europeans.
Cream of tartar (potassium bitartrate) is a byproduct of winemaking. It is used in baking to stabilize egg whites, prevent sugar crystallization, and act as a leavening agent when combined with baking soda.
No. Tartar is hardened and firmly adhered to the tooth. It must be removed by a dental professional (dentist or hygienist) using special tools, a process called scaling.