Forms: 4 teiche, 4–5 tech(e, tecch(e, techch(e, tacch(e, 4–7 tatch(e, 4–8 tach, 5 tetch(e, taich(e, tachch(e, 6–9 tash, 5– tache. [a. OF. teche (11th c.), tesche, tece, tecce, taiche, teiche, teke, teqe (Godef.); also F. tache (12th c. in Godef. Compl.), † tasche.
The Fr. word is of uncertain origin, but, according to Hatz.-Darm., is to be distinguished from the radical tac of TACHE sb.2, ATTACH, etc., with which earlier etymologists have associated it.]
† 1. A spot, blotch, blot. Obs. exc. as in b.
13[?]. St. Erkenwolde, 85, in Horstm., Altengl. Leg. (1881), 268. Wemles were his wedes with-outen any teiche.
13[?]. Gaw. & Gr. Knt., 2436. How tender hit is to entyse teches of fylþe.
a. 1450. Knt. de la Tour (1906), 163. A stone so clere and faire that there is no tache therein.
ǁ b. In modern scientific use only as French.
1893. W. R. Gowers, Dis. Nervous Syst. (ed. 2), II. 339. The well-known tache cérébrale, in which cutaneous irritation is followed by unusually vivid and enduring congestion of the skin [etc.].
1898. Syd. Soc. Lex., Tache, congenital discolorations, or freckles, or spots. Blemish.
† 2. fig. A moral spot or blemish; a fault or vice; a bad quality or habit; in quots. 1340–70, 1541, a physical blemish. Obs.
c. 1330. R. Brunne, Chron. Wace (Rolls), 3899. Alle his wykked tecches he left.
1340. Ayenb., 32. Vor oþre zix vices … þet byeþ techches of kuead seriont.
1340–70. Alisaunder, 282. Hee made a uery uow auenged too beene Of þat teenefull tach [the loss of an eye] þat hee tooke þere.
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. IX. 146. If þe fader be false and a shrewe, Þat somdel þe sone shal haue þe sires tacches.
1422. trans. Secreta Secret., Priv. Priv., 188. Vices and ewil taichis thou shalt enchue.
c. 1430. Lydg., Min. Poems (Percy Soc.), 256. Snybbyd of my frendys such techechys for t’amende.
1483. Caxton, Gold. Leg., 261 b/2. She that neuer had tatche ne spot of corrupcion.
1541. [see TACHE v.1].
1577. Hellowes, Gueuara’s Chron., 106. He had therewith a tache or a fault.
1602. Warner, Alb. Eng., XIII. lxxvii. 318. Of whom euen his Adorers write euill Taches many an one.
b. An imputation of fault or disgrace; a stain; a stigma. Sc. Obs. or rare.
c. 1610. Sir J. Melvil, Mem., Author to Son (1683), b iij. Her marrying a Man commonly judged her Husbands murtherer would leave a Tash upon her name.
1692. Sir W. Hope, Fencing Master, 162. If you can by any means (without puting a tash upon your honour).
c. 1716[?]. in Wodrow, Hist. Church Scotl. (1829), III. 227/1. I have made this reflection, not as a tach upon the persons who suffered.
1723. R. Hay (title), A Vindication of Elizabeth More from the Imputation of being a Concubine; and her Children from the Tache of Bastardy.
1862. M. Napier, Visct. Dundee, II. 218. The only tache upon his military fame.
† c. A smack, slight taste or flavor. Obs. rare.
1607. Barley-Breake (1877), 28. Their grazing feast will haue a wearish tatch.
3. A distinctive mark, quality, or habit; a trait, a characteristic, good or bad. [So in OF.] Obs. exc. dial.
a. 1400–50. Alexander, 4390. Oure techis haue we schawid, Oure dedis & of oure disciplyne.
1470–85. Malory, Arthur, VII. xx. 244. Wel maye he be a kynges sone for he hath many good tatches on hym.
1539. Taverner, Erasm. Prov. (1545), 75. It is theyr owne maners, theyr owne qualities, tetches, condicions, and procedynges that shape them this fortune.
1598. Barret, Theor. Warres, IV. i. 119. Euery braue man of warre beareth a tatch of ambition and of aspiring minde.
1780. Berridge, Lett. (1864), 400. Is any tache wanting, you could wish to see in a young man designed for the ministry?
1886. Elworthy, W. Somerset Word-bk., Tetch, habit, gait. Tis a tetch her’ve a-got.
