taste

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).
Phrases and idioms:
a 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).
Derivatives:
tasteable adj.
Etymology: ME, = touch, taste, f. OF tast, taster touch, try, taste, ult. perh. f. L tangere touch + gustare taste