Tang (tang), n. [Of Scand. origin; cf. Dan. tang seaweed, Sw. tång, Icel. þang. Cf. Tangle.] (Bot.)

A coarse blackish seaweed (Fuscus nodosus). Dr. Prior.

Tang sparrow (Zoöl.), the rock pipit. [Prov. Eng.]

 

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Tang, n. [Probably fr. OD. tanger sharp, tart, literally, pinching; akin to E. tongs. √59. See Tong.]

1.

A strong or offensive taste; especially, a taste of something extraneous to the thing itself; as, wine or cider has a tang of the cask.

2.

Fig.: A sharp, specific flavor or tinge. Cf. Tang a twang.

Such proceedings had a strong tang of tyranny.
Fuller.

A cant of philosophism, and a tang of party politics.
Jeffrey.

3. [Probably of Scand. origin; cf. Icel. tangi a projecting point; akin to E. tongs. See Tongs.]

A projecting part of an object by means of which it is secured to a handle, or to some other part; anything resembling a tongue in form or position. Specifically: --

(a)

The part of a knife, fork, file, or other small instrument, which is inserted into the handle.

(b)

The projecting part of the breech of a musket barrel, by which the barrel is secured to the stock.

(c)

The part of a sword blade to which the handle is fastened.

(d)

The tongue of a buckle. [Prov. Eng.]

 

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Tang, n. [Of imitative origin. Cf. Twang. This word has become confused with tang tatse, flavor.]

A sharp, twanging sound; an unpleasant tone; a twang.

 

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Tang, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Tanged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Tanging.]

To cause to ring or sound loudly; to ring.

Let thy tongue tang arguments of state.
Shak.

To tang bees, to cause a swarm of bees to settle, by beating metal to make a din.

 

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Tang, v. i.

To make a ringing sound; to ring.

Let thy tongue tang arguments of state.
Shak.

 

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Tang (täng), n. [Chin. T'ang.]

A dynasty in Chinese history, from a. d. 618 to 905, distinguished by the founding of the Imperial Academy (the Hanlin), by the invention of printing, and as marking a golden age of literature.

 

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