tart2

 
Pronunciation: /tɑːt/
informal

noun

derogatory
  • a prostitute or a promiscuous woman: what’s the fun of sleeping with some little tart with no feelings?

verb

chiefly British
  • 1 [with object] (tart oneself up) dress or make oneself up in order to look attractive: she came back only to tart herself up for the next evening
  • (tart something up) improve the appearance of something, typically in a way regarded as flashy or superficial: the page layouts have been tarted up with cartoons
  • 2 [with object] (tart about (or around)) (especially of a girl or woman) behave in a provocative or flamboyant way: she tarted around the room in one of Georgie’s dresses

Origin:

mid 19th century: probably an abbreviation of sweetheart