"having a sharp taste," 1520s, also attested once, obscurely, from late 14c., perhaps from Old English teart "painful, sharp, severe, rough" (in reference to punishment, pain, suffering), from Germanic *ter-t-, from PIE *der- (2) "to split, flay, peel" (see tear (v.1)), but the gap in the record is unexplained. Figurative use, with reference to words, speech, etc., is attested from c. 1600. Related: Tartly; tartness, both also absent in Middle English.
tart (n.1)
"small pie," late 14c., from Old French tarte "flat, open-topped pastry" (13c.), possibly an alteration of torte, from Late Latin torta "round loaf of bread" (in Medieval Latin "a cake, tart"), perhaps from past participle of torquere "to twist."
tart (n.2)
1887, "prostitute, immoral woman," from earlier use as a term of endearment to a girl or woman (1864), sometimes said to be a shortening of sweetheart. But another theory traces it to jam-tart (see tart (n.1)), which was British slang early 19c. for "attractive woman." Diminutive tartlet attested from 1890. To tart (something) up is from 1938. Related: Tarted.
实用例句
1. The fruit has a tart and astringent flavour.
这种水果又酸又涩。
来自柯林斯例句
2. The tart flavour of the cranberries adds piquancy.
越橘的酸味很可口。
来自《权威词典》
3. He gave a tart reply.
他作了尖刻的回答.
来自《简明英汉词典》
4. I don't like a tart apple.
我不喜欢吃酸苹果.
来自《简明英汉词典》
5. If any cracks have appeared in the tart case, fill these in with raw pastry.
