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tab
The word evokes a sense of a physical protrusion or a marker used for quick access and organization. Whether it is a metal ring on a can or a digital page in a browser, the core image is a small, distinct handle that allows a user to switch or open something efficiently. In a financial context, the term carries a casual, ongoing feeling. It suggests a trust-based arrangement where payment is deferred until the end of a session, making it common in social settings like pubs or cafes rather than formal business transactions.
Countable when referring to physical strips, browser windows, or individual bills.
Meanings
A small flap or strip of material used for pulling or identification.
"Pull the tab to open the soda can."
An unpaid bill or a running account of charges at a bar or restaurant.
"I will start a tab for the evening."
A programmable key on a computer keyboard used for indentation.
"Press the tab key to indent the paragraph."
A digital window or page open within a single web browser.
"I have twenty tabs open in my browser."