tan-vat
(ˈtænvæt)
Also 6–8 -fat.
[f. tan v. or n. + vat.]
The receptacle, a tub, cistern, pit, or the like, containing the ‘ooze’ in which the hides are laid in tanning.
| 1592 Greene Upst. Courtier Wks. (Grosart) XI. 261 Howe comes this to passe? by your tanne-fats for sooth. 1615 E. S. Britain's Buss in Arb. Garner III. 630 Every net must be tanned in a tan-fat. 1655 Fuller Ch. Hist. vi. ii. §1. 1779 E. Beatty in J. L. Hardenbergh Jrnl. (1879) 65 There was a tanfat farm with several Hides at a tannery which the soldiers got. 1828 Webster, Tan-vat. 1895 S. R. Hole Little Tour Amer. 86 Grant tried that [tanning], but found no gold in the tan-vat. |