I. ˈtaks transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English, to estimate, assess, tax, from Anglo-French taxer, from Medieval Latin taxare, from Latin, to feel, estimate, censure, frequentative of tangere to touch — more at tangent
Date: 14th century
1. : to assess or determine judicially the amount of (costs in a court action)
2. : to levy a tax on
3. obsolete : to enter (a name) in a list
there went out a decree…that all the world should be tax ed — Luke 2:1(Authorized Version)
4. : charge , accuse
tax ed him with neglect of duty
also : censure
5. : to make onerous and rigorous demands on
the job tax ed her strength
• tax·able ˈtak-sə-bəl adjective
• tax·er noun
II. noun
Usage: often attributive
Date: 14th century
1.
a. : a charge usually of money imposed by authority on persons or property for public purposes
b. : a sum levied on members of an organization to defray expenses
2. : a heavy demand