Tan"ist*ry (?), n. [See Tanist.] In Ireland, a tenure of family lands
by which the proprietor had only a life estate, to which he was
admitted by election.
The primitive intention seems to have been that the inheritance should
descend to the oldest or most worthy of the blood and name of the
deceased. This was, in reality, giving it to the strongest; and the
practice often occasioned bloody feuds in families, for which reason it
was abolished under James I.
Ta"nite (?), n. A firm composition of emery and a certain kind of
cement, used for making grinding wheels, slabs, etc.
Tank (?), n. A small Indian dry measure, averaging 240 grains in
weight; also, a Bombay weight of 72 grains, for pearls. Simmonds.
Tank, n. [Pg. tanque, L. stangum a pool; or perhaps of East Indian
origin. Cf. Stank, n.] A large basin or cistern; an artificial
receptacle for liquids.
Tank engine, a locomotive which carries the water and fuel it requires,
thus dispensing with a tender. — Tank iron, plate iron thinner than
boiler plate, and thicker than sheet iron or stovepipe iron. — Tank
worm (Zoöl.), a small nematoid worm found in the water tanks of India,
supposed by some to be the young of the Guinea worm.
Tan"ka (?), n. (Naut.) A kind of boat used in Canton. It is about 25
feet long and is often rowed by women. Called also tankia. S. W.
Williams.
Tank"ard (?), n. [OF. tanquart; cf. OD. tanckaert; of uncertain
origin.] A large drinking vessel, especially one with a cover.
Marius was the first who drank out of a silver tankard, after the
manner of Bacchus.
Arbuthnot.
Tan"ki*a (?), n. (Naut.) See Tanka.