tab1

[tab] /tæb/
noun
1.
a small flap, strap, loop, or similar appendage, as on a garment, used for pulling, hanging, or decoration.
2.
a tag or label.
3.
a small projection from a card, paper, or folder, used as an aid in filing.
4.
Informal. a bill, as for a meal in a restaurant; check.
5.
a small piece attached or intended to be attached, as to an automobile license plate.
6.
a small flap or tongue of material used to seal or close the opening of a container.
7.
Also called tabulator. a stop on a typewriter, actuated by a key, that moves the carriage, typing element, etc., a predetermined number of spaces, used for typing material in columns, for fixed indentations, etc.
8.
a programmed command on a computer, actuated by a key, that moves the cursor or printhead a predetermined number of spaces, used for keying material in columns, for fixed indentations, etc.
9.
Theater.
  1. a small, often narrow, drop curtain, for masking part of the stage.
  2. tableau curtain.
10.
Aeronautics. a small airfoil hinged to the rear portion of a control surface, as to an elevator, aileron, or rudder.
Compare trim tab.
verb (used with object), tabbed, tabbing.
11.
to furnish or ornament with a tab or tabs.
12.
to name or designate.
verb (used without object), tabbed, tabbing.
13.
Also, tabulate. to operate the tab function on a typewriter or computer.
Idioms
14.
keep tabs / tab on, Informal. to keep an account of; check on; observe:
The police kept tabs on the suspect's activities.
Origin
1600-10; (in defs 1-3, 5) < ?; (in defs 7 and 8) short for tabulator; (in def 9) short for tableau; (in defs 4 and 14) partly from shortening of table, partly in sense of def. 1

tab2

[tab] /tæb/
noun, Informal.
1.
tabloid (def 1).
2.
Slang. a tablet, as of a drug or medication.
Origin
by shortening

tab.

1.
tables.
2.
(in prescriptions) tablet.
Origin
< Latin tabella
Examples from the web for tab
  • A simple tab of leather is commonly used, as is a skeleton glove.
  • Crabs are often referred as having a tab, like beer cans have for opening.
British Dictionary definitions for tab

tab1

/tæb/
noun
1.
a small flap of material, esp one on a garment for decoration or for fastening to a button
2.
any similar flap, such as a piece of paper attached to a file for identification
3.
a small auxiliary aerofoil on the trailing edge of a rudder, aileron, or elevator, etc, to assist in the control of the aircraft in flight See also trim tab
4.
(Brit, military) the insignia on the collar of a staff officer
5.
(mainly US & Canadian) a bill, esp one for a meal or drinks
6.
(Scot & Northern English, dialect) a cigarette
7.
(informal) keep tabs on, to keep a watchful eye on
verb tabs, tabbing, tabbed
8.
(transitive) to supply (files, clothing, etc) with a tab or tabs
Word Origin
C17: of unknown origin

tab2

/tæb/
noun
1.
short for tabulator, tablet
2.
(slang) a portion of a drug, esp LSD or ecstasy

TAB

abbreviation
1.
typhoid-paratyphoid A and B (vaccine)
2.
(Austral & NZ) Totalizator Agency Board

tab.

abbreviation
1.
table (list or chart)
Word Origin and History for tab
n.

"small flap," c.1600, possibly a dialectal word, of uncertain origin. Often interchangeable with tag (n.1). Cf. also Middle English tab "strap or string" (mid-15c.), Norwegian dialectal tave "piece of cloth, rag."

"account, bill, check," 1888, American English colloquial, probably a shortened form of tabulation or of tablet in the sense of "a sheet for writing on." Figurative phrase keep a tab on is recorded from 1890.

1961, shortened form of tablet (especially one of sugar containing LSD). As an abbreviation of tabloid (newspaper) it is 1990s slang. As a short form of tabulator key of a typewriter (later computer) it is recorded from 1916.

v.

"to designate, label," 1924, perhaps an alteration of tag (v.2). Related: Tabbed; tabbing.

Slang definitions & phrases for tab

tab 1

noun phrase

The bill or check for something, esp for food or drink: three-or four-hundred-dollar tabs for unpaid liquor (1942+)

noun

A written acknowledgment of debt; iou: They're liable to go out and stick up a bank if they owe you a tab (1950s+)

Related Terms

pick up the tab

[origin unknown; perhaps a shortening of tabulation]


tab 2

verb

To identify or designate; label: I tabbed him immediately as a crook

[1924+; fr tab, ''a tied-on baggage label,'' of unknown origin; perhaps an alteration of tag]


tab 3

noun
  1. A tablet
  2. A dose of LSD; hit (1960s+ Narcotics)

tab 4

noun

A tabloid newspaper: just be sure the other tabs and the London papers don't have track pictures either (1990s+)


tab in Technology


HT

Related Abbreviations for tab

tab

tablet

TAB

timing and acquisition bit

tab.

table
Idioms and Phrases with tab

tab

see: keep tabs on