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n. 1. A drum or drummer. 2. a. A small embroidery frame, usually made of wood or plastic, consisting of two concentric hoops between which fabric is stretched. b. Embroidery made on such a frame. 3. A rolling front or top for a desk or table, consisting of narrow strips of wood glued to canvas. v. tam·boured, tam·bour·ing, tam·bours v.tr. To do (embroidery) on a frame consisting of two concentric hoops. v.intr. To embroider at or on such a frame. [Middle English, from Old French, perhaps ultimately from alteration (influenced by Arabic ṭunbūr, ṭanbūr, tambura) of Arabic *tabbūl, hypocoristic form of ṭabl, drum, or ṭubūl, plural of ṭabl; see TABLA, or perhaps ultimately from alteration (influenced by Arabic ṭunbūr, ṭanbūr) of Persian tabīr, tabīra, drum; probably akin to Middle Persian tumbag, and of imitative origin.]  (click for a larger image) tambourembroidery tambour |
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