[f. TAN v. + -AGE; or perh. a. F. tannage (14th c. in Hatz.-Darm.).]
1. The art or process of tanning; also concr. the produce of tanning. (With quot. 18[?]. cf. TAN v. 1 c.)
1662. J. Davies, trans. Olearius’ Voy. Ambass., 42. They are as yet unacquainted with Tannage.
1778. Phil. Trans., LXVIII. 128. The leather … is of a superior quality to that of the old tannage.
18[?]. Marble-Worker, § 129 (Cent. Dict.). The most important operation in the composition of artificial Marbles is that of tannage, without which it would be impossible for the cabinet maker to scrape and polish the material.
1893. Times, 13 Dec., 3/5. Up-country tannages had a fair market throughout…. Bombay tannages were in fair request at about last sales prices.
1901. Daily Chron., 18 Nov., 3/7. The sterling quality of English sole leather-good, honest, oak-bark tannage—has passed into a proverb.
attrib. 1732. Tannage bill [see TANNERY 2].
b. transf. The tanning or sunburning of the skin.
1845. Browning, Flight of Duchess, iii. They should have got his cheek fresh tannage.
2. A tannery. Sc.
1799–1812. [A tannery known as ‘the Tannage’ existed in Hawick in the lane still called Tannage Close].
1867. D. Black, Hist. Brechin, 185. A piece of ground formerly occupied as a cornyard and tannage was purchased.
