[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

tartar \tar"tar\, n.
   1. per. t=at=ar, of tartar origin. a native or
      inhabitant of tartary in asia; a member of any one of
      numerous tribes, chiefly moslem, of turkish origin,
      inhabiting the russian europe; -- written also, more
      correctly but less usually, tatar.
      1913 webster

   2. a person of a keen, irritable temper.
      1913 webster

   to catch a tartar, to lay hold of, or encounter, a person
      who proves too strong for the assailant. colloq.
      1913 webster
see also:
tatar to catch a tartar 

Tartar >> T Words
Tartar, definition of term: Tartar
tartar_pag1.html

Catch >> C Words
Catch, definition of term: Catch
catch_pag1.html

Catch Up >> C Words
Catch Up, definition of term: Catch Up
catch+up_pag1.html

Catch Out >> C Words
Catch Out, definition of term: Catch Out
catch+out_pag1.html

Catch On >> C Words
Catch On, definition of term: Catch On
catch+on_pag1.html

Catch Up With >> C Words
Catch Up With, definition of term: Catch Up With
catch+up+with_pag1.html

Cream Of Tartar >> C Words
Cream Of Tartar, definition of term: Cream Of Tartar
cream+of+tartar_pag1.html