Tannin

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈtænɪn/

Definitions

1. A complex organic compound derived from various plant sources that has the ability to bind proteins and is commonly associated with the astringency in wines and herbal teas
2. An organic polyphenol commonly encountered in nature that causes a dry mouthfeel by precipitating proteins, and is utilized in various products including leather and beverages
3. A naturally occurring polyphenolic substance found in many plants that contributes to astringency and is used in processes like fermentation and leather production

Etymology: Tannin owes its name to a French chemist, though the story runs through oak trees and a Gaulish word. The French word "tannin" was formed from "tanner", the verb for treating hides with bark, and that trade relied on the tannic substance that oak bark contains. The root of the Latin "tannum", meaning oak bark, is traced to a Gaulish word "tannos", meaning oak, so the chemical is named after the wood that yielded it. The word tan, meaning to convert animal skin into leather, comes from the same source. Before chemists isolated the compound, tanners knew only that certain barks could turn raw hide into durable leather, and the astringent quality that makes a strong cup of tea pucker the mouth belongs to the same family of substances. A separate, unrelated word lies behind the chemical's name only by coincidence of sound. In Hebrew, "tannin" (תַּנִּין) denotes a sea monster or dragon, and the English word for the plant compound does not descend from it. The similarity is pure accident of spelling.

Synonyms: astringent, extract, polyphenol, compound, chemical