teɪst n. & v. --n. 1 a
the sensation characteristic of a
soluble substance caused in the
mouth and throat by
contact with that substance (disliked the taste of garlic). b the
faculty of perceiving
this sensation (was
bitter to the taste). 2 a
small portion of
food or
drink taken as a
sample. 3 a
slight experience (a taste of success). 4 (often foll. by for) a
liking or
predilection (has
expensive tastes; is
not to my taste). 5
aesthetic discernment in art,
literature,
conduct,
etc.,
esp. of a specified kind (a
person of taste; dresses in
poor taste). --v. 1 tr. sample or test the
flavour of (food etc.) by
taking it
into the mouth. 2 tr. (also absol.)
perceive the flavour of (could taste the
lemon;
cannot taste with a cold). 3 tr. (esp. with neg.)
eat or drink a small portion of (had not tasted food
for days). 4 tr.
have experience of (had
never tasted failure). 5 intr. (often foll. by of) have a specified flavour (tastes bitter; tastes of onions). øa
bad (or bitter etc.) taste colloq. a
strong feeling of
regret or
unease. taste
blood see BLOOD. taste bud
any of the cells or nerve-endings on the
surface of the
tongue by
which things are tasted. to taste in the
amount needed for a pleasing
result (add
salt and
pepper to taste). øøtasteable adj. [ME, =
touch, taste, f. OF tast,
taster touch,
try, taste, ult. perh. f. L tangere touch + gustare taste]
