Meaning
Of a body, muscle, etc., not flabby; firm, toned.
Etymology
Origin: Old English
The adjective is derived from Middle English taught [and other forms], Early Middle English tohte, towehte (“strained, stretched; distended; tight; firm”), probably from tough, touth, touʒth, toʒt (“powerful, strong; fierce, violent; not tender, tough; hardy, resilient; steadfast, stout; difficult to do or endure”) and possibly influenced by togen, towen, past participle of ten (“to extend, stretch out; to drag, haul, pull, tow, tug”) (modern English tee (“(obsolete) to draw, lead; to draw away; to go, proceed”)), or directly from its etymon Old English tēon (“to drag, draw, pull”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *dewk- (“to draw, pull”)) The word may be related to thight (“(dialectal) compact, dense; close-fitting, tight”) and tight; and is cognate with Scots tacht, taght (“taut”). The verb is probably derived from the adjective.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Antonyms
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 37 recorded puzzles:
- 2026-09-18ACINQTU
- 2026-07-11TAILNPU
- 2026-05-06AVIURLT
- 2025-12-31TUAOFCM
- 2025-12-27UANGELT
- 2025-11-04UALTECF
- 2025-10-16TAELNUX
- 2025-08-25TAOHGLU
- 2025-08-12UARHCOT
- 2025-07-29UANHCLT
- 2025-07-13ADTIGNU
- 2025-07-07TARFDPU
+25 earlier appearances in the archive.