Top definition
A Japanese knife or small sword, they are forged generally in hira-zukuri, meaning that they have no ridge-line, unlike the shinogi-zukuri shape of a katana. They were generally very thin and therefore would cut soft targets extremely well.
It is also the shortest of three similar swords, the wakizashi and the katana
It is also the shortest of three similar swords, the wakizashi and the katana
by wakizashimaster August 27, 2006
Jun 18 Word of the Day
Adj. Something that is expected to have a long lifespan by virtue of having existed for a long time, based on the lindy effect, named for the New York restaurant Lindy's, coined by Albert Goldman and popularized by Nassim Taleb.
by mmebs June 13, 2021
2
A tanto is very similar to a katana. It is shorter, about 6"-12" (15-30 cm) and very thin. It was designed for stabbing, but could be used to slash.
by Slavakion June 24, 2004
3
Look at that tanto his mustache is huge.
Chris is a tanto.
"Hola tanto"
"Your son is a tanto, thats rad."
Chris is a tanto.
"Hola tanto"
"Your son is a tanto, thats rad."
by Charlie (tanto) May 17, 2007
4
When you team up with a bro to double team a broad and the balls rub together creating friction and sparking a small fire, needing only marshmallows and smores
Hey did you hear jimmy and steve tanto that bitch last night? they burnt down the whole apartment complex
by SmithJonesbatman101 August 29, 2010