tanned
UK: tænd | US: tænd
adj. (of skin) darkened or bronzed from exposure to sunlight
adj. (of leather) treated with tannins to preserve it
v. past tense and past participle of "tan" (to make or become brown from sun exposure)
The word "tanned" originates from the Old English tannian, meaning "to convert hide into leather using tannins." The process involved treating animal skins with tannic acid (from oak bark or other sources) to make them durable—a practice dating back to ancient times. By the 17th century, "tan" extended metaphorically to describe human skin darkening from sun exposure, likening it to leather treatment. The suffix "-ned" (modern "-ed") marks the past participle, indicating a completed state.
Her tanned skin glowed after two weeks at the beach.
The artisan tanned the deer hide to make a durable bag.
He looked healthier with his lightly tanned face.
Tanned leather is resistant to water and decay.
She regretted not using sunscreen and ended up badly tanned.