adjective, taut·er, taut·est.
- tightly drawn; tense; not slack.
- emotionally or mentally strained or tense: taut nerves.
- in good order or condition; tidy; neat.
adjective
- tightly stretched; tense
- showing nervous strain; stressed
- mainly nautical in good order; neat
adj.early 14c., tohte, possibly from tog-, past participle stem of Old English teon “to pull, drag,” from Proto-Germanic *tugn, from PIE *deuk- “to lead” (see duke (n.)).