■ noun
1》 the sensation of flavour perceived in the mouth on contact with a substance.
↘the faculty of perceiving this.
2》 a small portion of food or drink taken as a sample.
3》 a brief experience of something.
4》 a person's liking for something.
5》 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 ~.
■ verb
1》 perceive or experience the flavour of.
↘have a specified flavour.
↘sample or test the flavour of.
↘eat or drink a small portion of.
2》 have experience of.
Phrases
to ~ according to personal liking.
Derivatives
tasting noun
Origin
ME: from OFr. tast (n.), ~r (v.) 'touch, try, ~', perh. based on a blend of L. tangere 'to touch' and gustare 'to ~'.