tau

noun \ˈtau̇, ˈtȯ\

Definition of TAU

: the 19th letter of the Greek alphabet — see alphabet table

: a short-lived elementary particle of the lepton family that exists in positive and negative charge states and has a mass about 3500 times greater than an electron —called also tau particle

: a protein that binds to and regulates the assembly and stability of neuronal microtubules and that is found in an abnormal form as the major component of neurofibrillary tangles

See tau defined for kids

Origin of TAU

Middle English taw, from Latin tau, from Greek, of Semitic origin; akin to Hebrew tāw taw

First Known Use: 14th century

Rhymes with TAU

aw, awe, blaw, braw, ca, caw, chaw, claw, craw, daw, draw, flaw, gnaw, haw, jaw, la, law, maw, pa, paw, pshaw, Ra, rah, raw, saw, shah, shaw, slaw, spa, squaw, straw, taw, thaw, yaw

Medical Dictionary

tau

noun \ˈtau̇, ˈtȯ\

Medical Definition of TAU

: a protein that binds to and regulates the assembly and stability of neuronal microtubules and that is found in an abnormal form as the major component of neurofibrillary tangles—called also tau protein