Tam"a*ric (?), n. [L. tamarice. See Tamarisk.] A shrub or tree supposed to be the tamarisk, or perhaps some kind of heath. [Obs.]
He shall be like tamaric in the desert, and he shall not see when good shall come.
Tam"a*rin (?), n. [From the native name in Cayenne.] (Zoöl.) Any one of several species of small squirrel-like South American monkeys of the genus Midas, especially M. ursulus.
Tam"a*rind (?), n. [It. tamarindo, or Sp. tamarindo, or Pg. tamarindo, tamarinho, from Ar. tamarhind, literally, Indian date; tamar a dried date + Hind India: cf. F. tamarin. Cf. Hindu.] (Bot.) 1. A leguminous tree (Tamarindus Indica) cultivated both the Indies, and the other tropical countries, for the sake of its shade, and for its fruit. The trunk of the tree is lofty and large, with wide-spreading branches; the flowers are in racemes at the ends of the branches. The leaves are small and finely pinnated.
2. One of the preserved seed pods of the tamarind, which contain an acid pulp, and are used medicinally and for preparing a pleasant drink.
Tamarind fish, a preparation of a variety of East Indian fish with the acid pulp of the tamarind fruit. — Velvet tamarind. (a) A West African leguminous tree (Codarium acutifolium). (b) One of the small black velvety pods, which are used for food in Sierra Leone. — Wild tamarind (Bot.), a name given to certain trees somewhat resembling the tamarind, as the Lysiloma latisiliqua of Southern Florida, and the Pithecolobium filicifolium of the West Indies.
Tam"a*risk (?), n. [L. tamariscus, also tamarix, tamarice, Skr. tamla, tamlaka, a tree with a very dark bark; cf. tamas darkness: cf. F. tamarisc, tamarix, tamaris.] (Bot.) Any shrub or tree of the genus Tamarix, the species of which are European and Asiatic. They have minute scalelike leaves, and small flowers in spikes. An Arabian species (T. mannifera) is the source of one kind of manna.
Tamarisk salt tree, an East Indian tree (Tamarix orientalis) which produces an incrustation of salt.
Tam"bac (?), n. (Metal.) See Tombac. [Obs.]
Tam"bour (?), n. 1. (Mus.) A kind of small flat drum; a tambourine.
2. A small frame, commonly circular, and somewhat resembling a tambourine, used for stretching, and firmly holding, a portion of cloth that is to be embroidered; also, the embroidery done upon such a frame; — called also, in the latter sense, tambour work.