Defn: An aroid plant (Caladium sagittæfolium), the leaves of which are boiled and eaten in the West Indies. [Written also tannier.]
TANIST Tan"ist, n. Etym: [Ir. tanaiste, tanaise, second, the second person in rank, the presumptive or apparent heir to a prince.]
Defn: In Ireland, a lord or proprietor of a tract of land or of a castle, elected by a family, under the system of tanistry. This family [the O'Hanlons] were tanists of a large territory within the present county of Armagh. M. A. Lower.
TANISTRY
Tan"ist*ry, n. Etym: [See Tanist.]
Defn: In Ireland, a tenure of family lands by which the proprietor had only a life estate, to which he was admitted by election.
Note: The primitive intention seems to have been that the inheritance should descend to the oldest or most worthy of the blood and name of the deceased. This was, in reality, giving it to the strongest; and the practice often occasioned bloody feuds in families, for which reason it was abolished under James I.
TANITE
Ta"nite, n.
Defn: A firm composition of emery and a certain kind of cement, used for making grinding wheels, slabs, etc.
TANK
Tank, n.
Defn: A small Indian dry measure, averaging 240 grains in weight; also, a Bombay weight of 72 grains, for pearls. Simmonds.