noun / adjective

tartan

TAHR-tun/ˈtɑːrtn/

A pattern of crossing colored stripes associated with Scotland, or cloth bearing it.

The folded wool shows a tartan of intersecting colored stripes.

A folded piece of Scottish tartan wool with clearly intersecting colored horizontal and vertical stripes forming plaid checks, crisp fabric edges, no clan emblems or words.

Etymology

The origin is uncertain, perhaps connected with French tiretaine, a coarse fabric. The English word first named a kind of woolen fabric, then the crossing-colored-stripe cloth associated with Scottish clan patterns.

In context

CinemaShowFilms22:18

One of my favorites that I'm not wearing right now is tartan or uh Plaid. Plaid is a lot of fun.

True Otaku: The Documentary (Part 1 of 3)

More examples

She bought two meters of tartan to make a skirt.
The guide explained which tartans were associated with different Scottish clans.
He wrapped the birthday gift in tartan paper.

Forms

tartan · tartans

Similar words

plaid: A broader term for crossing stripes, without necessarily suggesting Scotland.
check: Usually suggests regular squares rather than stripes of varying widths.
madras: Lightweight cotton with checks or plaids, often used for summer clothing.