taut
Cross references: 1. tight 1. taut \'to.t\ aj [ME tought] 1a: tightly drawn : not slack 1b: HIGH-STRUNG, TENSE 2a: kept in proper order or condition {a ~ ship} 2b: not loose or flabby : FIRM - taut.ly av 2. taut \'ta.t\ vt [origin unknown] Scot : MAT, TANGLE