Definition of tab

The word "tab" originally referred to a small item, such as a playing card, advertisement, or portion of food, detached or cut off from a larger group. This meaning can still be seen in modern usage, as in "a half- tab of aspirin" or "a tabloid size newspaper". However, the specific origin of the term "tab" is debated. Some etymologists suggest that it comes from the French word "tas," meaning "pile" or "heap," as in a pile of cards or paper. Others link it to the Arabic word "tasbīkh," which translates to "counter" and refers to the narrow strips used to keep track of Islamic prayers. An alternate theory suggests that "tab" originally derived from the Turkish word "tav," meaning "drinking vessel," as this word was commonly used for small, flat used to weigh tobacco. Since tobacco was frequently sold and consumed in small portions, it is conceivable that this meaning of "tab" evolved from this context. Regardless of its origin, "tab" gained prominence during the 1960s as a contraction of "television audience report," in reference to the summary reports provided by the Nielsen company to television networks. This usage led to the standardization of "tab" to refer to an abbreviated document, summary, or report.