Толковый словарь английского языка Oxford English Reference - tartar

n. 1 a hard deposit of saliva, calcium phosphate, etc., that forms on the teeth. 2 a deposit of acid potassium tartrate that forms a hard crust on the inside of a cask during the fermentation of wine. Phrases and idioms tartar emetic potassium antimony tartrate used as a mordant and in medicine (formerly as an emetic). Derivatives tartarize v.tr. (also -ise). Etymology: ME f. med.L f. med.Gk tartaron TARTAR n. & adj. (also Tatar except in sense 2 of n.) --n. 1 a a member of a group of Central Asian peoples including Mongols and Turks. b the Turkic language of these peoples. 2 (tartar) a violent-tempered or intractable person. --adj. 1 of or relating to the Tartars. 2 of or relating to Central Asia E. of the Caspian Sea. Phrases and idioms tartar sauce a sauce of mayonnaise and chopped gherkins, capers, etc. Derivatives Tartarian adj. Etymology: ME tartre f. OF Tartare or med.L Tartarus