Definition of tart

The word "tart" has its roots in Old French, where it was spelled "tarte" or "tartre". This Old French word is derived from the Latin "tarta", meaning "pastry" or "cake". In the 14th century, the word "tart" entered Middle English, initially referring to a type of pie or pastry case. Over time, the meaning of the word "tart" expanded to include the concept of something being sharply acid or sour, likely due to the association of tart pies or desserts with acidic fruits like lemons or citrus. This sense of the word has been in use since the 16th century, with the phrase "tart as a lemon" being a common idiom. Today, the word "tart" can refer to both the baked good and the adjective describing something as sour or sharp, often used to describe flavors, personalities, or even speech.