Tally, O. E. (Fr. tailler, to cut.) An ancient method of keeping record of monies advanced to the Royal Exchequer. A tally was a piece of wood inscribed with a receipt, which was split by an officer, and one part delivered to the lender, and the other, called the Stock, preserved in the Tally-office in the Exchequer. Hence the name Stocks for the Government securities. After the disuse of the tallies in 1782 the old ones were used for firing in the Houses of Parliament, and caused their destruction in 1834.
Talmud (Chaldean, lit. instruction,) consists of two parts, the Mishna and Gemara; and contains the whole body of Hebrew law and traditions.
Talus. (1) R. The game of knuckle-bones. (See Astragalus.) (2) Arch. The sloping part of a work, a term in fortification.
Talvace, O. E. A shield or buckler, circular and projecting.
Talvas, O. E. An oblong wooden shield, 14th century.
Tambour, Fr. A small drum. Rich embroidery work done on a drum-shaped frame.
Tamboura. An ancient musical instrument of the lute or guitar kind. The Hindoos represent Ganesa, the god of wisdom, as a man with the head of an elephant, holding a tamboura in his hands.
Tambourine. A small drum with only one skin, played on by the hand.
Tamine, Taminy, Tammy (Fr. tamis, a sieve). A thin woollen textile, highly glazed.
Tampion. (See Tompion.)