n. & v.
--n. a piece of work to be done or undertaken.
--v.tr.
1. make great demands on (a person's powers etc.).
2 assign a task to.
Phrases and idioms:
take to task rebuke, scold. task force (or group)
1. Mil. an armed force organized for a special operation.
2 a unit specially organized for a task.
Etymology: ME f. ONF tasque OF tasche f. med.L tasca, perh. f. taxa f. L taxare TAX