1. A word, picture, etc. which is drawn on a person's skin by using a needle and ink: Henrietta had a tattoo of her husband's name on the back of her right shoulder.

The removal of a tattoo is usually difficult and it is not always satisfactory; because, a big scar almost always results.

Sometimes doctors treat small tattoos by completely removing the colored area of the skin and stitching the wound together at the edges.

2. A fast rhythmic beat: The rain could be heard hitting a tattoo on the roof of the back porch.

A continuous rhythmical beating tattoo was being made on a drum by the musicians.

3. An outdoor performance in the evening with music and marching by members of a military group: The local army unit was entertaining the local citizens in the evening at the summer fest with special tattoos.
4. Etymology: from Dutch taptoe, "to shut the tap (of a beer barrel)"; a signal at closing time in the taverns. Originally, "a signal for military people, or soldiers, to return to their quarters".

Introducing permanent colors under the surface of the skin to make decorative designs on the skin: People who were tattooed even as far back as a thousand years ago, had it done originally as a means of identification.

When the skins of people are tattooed, even by professionals, it is potentially dangerous; especially, if the person who tattoos does not follow strict sterile procedures because hepatitis and AIDS can be transmitted through the needles that introduce the dyes.