n.
- the sensation of flavour perceived in the mouth on contact with a substance.
▸the faculty of perceiving this.
- a small portion of food or drink taken as a sample.
- a brief experience of something.
- a person's liking for something.
- the ability to discern what is of good quality or of a high aesthetic standard.
▸conformity to a specified degree with generally held views on what is appropriate or offensive:
a joke in bad taste.
v.
- perceive or experience the flavour of.
▸have a specified flavour.
▸sample or test the flavour of.
▸eat or drink a small portion of.
- have experience of.
Phrase
- to taste
according to personal liking.
Derivative
Etymology
ME: from OFr. tast (n.), taster (v.) ‘touch, try, taste’, perh. based on a blend of L. tangere ‘to touch’ and gustare ‘to taste’.