tartan1 (tartan)

and a. [Formerly tartane; taine, tirtaine, dial. (Genevese) tredaine, tri MD. tireteyn, tiereteyn, D. tiretijn , daine, tartan ("linsie-woolsie," Cotgrave), IMG:content-2877.jpg:[blocks in formation] 6193 cro ing each other at right angles so as to form a definite pattern. This variegated cloth was formerly the distinctive dre of the Scottish Highlanders, the different clans having each its peculiar tartan. (See also cut under plaid.) More recently fancy tartans of various fabrics and with great variety in the patterns have been largely manufactured, especially for women's dre es. An elne and an halfe of blue tartane to lyne his gowne. Wardrobe Act , James III. of Scotl., 1471. Now might you see the tartans brave, And plaids and plumage dance and wave. Scott, L. of the L., ii. 16. 2. The design or "set" of the colors in the cloth known as tartan. See set1, n., 14.- Clan tartan, the specific variety of tartan dre formerly worn by any Highland clan. - Shepherd's tartan. (a) A woolen cloth made into small checkers of black and white. (b) The check peculiar to this cloth. Also shepherd's plaid. - Silk tartan, a silk material for women's dre es and men's waistcoats, woven in the style of the Scottish clan tartans. II. a . Variegated with the cro -barred bands and stripes of color characteristic of the Scottish tartans, or with patterns of a similar kind. Scarce to be known by curious eye From the deep heather where they lie, So well was match'd the tartan screen With heath-bell dark and brackens green. Scott, L. of the L., iii. 31. Tartan velvet, velvet with a short nap, woven in patterns resembling Scottish tartans. This material has been fashionable for waistcoats and other wearing-apparel at different epochs.