tan
UK: tæn | US: tæn
n. 1. A yellowish-brown color.
n. 2. A browning of the skin caused by exposure to sunlight.
vt. 1. To convert (hide) into leather by soaking in tannic acid.
vt. 2. To cause (skin) to darken from sunlight exposure.
adj. Of a light yellowish-brown color.
The word "tan" originates from Old English tannian (to convert hide into leather), derived from Medieval Latin tannāre, which refers to the use of oak bark (rich in tannin) in the leather-making process. Over time, the term expanded to describe the brownish color of tanned leather and later the sun-darkened skin resembling that hue. The verb sense of sun-induced skin darkening emerged in the early 20th century.
She returned from vacation with a deep tan.
The artisan tanned the hide to make durable boots.
The walls were painted a warm tan.
He tans easily under the summer sun.
The old map had faded to a pale tan.