tang¹ / tang/ • n. 1. [in sing.] a strong taste, flavor, or smell: the clean salty tang of the sea. ∎  a characteristic quality: the tang of finality hovers throughout Tolstoy's story.2. the projection on the blade of a tool such as a knife, by which the blade is held firmly in the handle.tang² • v. [intr.] make a loud ringing or clanging sound: the bronze bell tangs.• n. a tanging sound.tang³ • n. a surgeonfish (genus Acanthurus) that occurs around reefs and rocky areas, where it browses on algae. Its several species include the blue tang (A. coeruleus) of the western Atlantic.

Tang

Tang instant beverage entered American popular culture in the 1960s with a remarkable journey to outer space. The vitamin-fortified drink was first marketed in the late 1950s as a healthy alternative to soda pop. After being chosen by the National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA) to be the drink of the astronauts, Tang flew on several flights in the 1960s and soon became a drink of choice for children hoping to emulate the feats of the astronauts. Despite the introduction of new flavors in addition to the classic orange, Tang's popularity diminished in the 1980s and 1990s along with America's excitement over the space program.

—Angela O'Neal

Further Reading:

Holland, Gini. The 1960's. New York, Lucent Books, 1999.

Varnum, Allan H., and Jane P. Setherland. Beverages: Technology, Chemistry and Biology. London, Chapman Hall, 1994.

T'ang (618–907) Chinese imperial dynasty (618–907). The early period was a golden age of China, when it was the largest, richest and culturally most accomplished society in the world. T'ang armies carried Chinese authority to Afghanistan, Tibet, and Korea. Towns grew as trade expanded, new ideas and foreign influences were freely admitted, and the arts flourished. During the 8th century, the dynasty was submerged in civil conflicts.

Tang / tang/ a dynasty ruling China 618–c.906, a period noted for territorial conquest and great wealth and regarded as the golden age of Chinese poetry and art.

tang1
A. (dial.) serpent's tongue, insect's sting XIV; point or spike, spec. of a metal tool XV;

B. penetrating taste XV; slight smack XVI. of Scand. orig. (cf. ON. tangi. Da. tange point, spit).