taste
Definitions
The sensation of flavor perceived by the tongue
味道，滋味
A person's judgment of what is good or attractive in art, style, etc.
品味，审美
A small amount eaten or experienced; a brief sample
一点点；初次体验
To perceive or sample the flavor of something
品尝；尝出……味道
To have a particular flavor
有……的味道
Root Breakdown
Native Englishtaste reached English through Old French taster, from a Vulgar Latin frequentative of tangere (to touch) — touching done repeatedly. The meaning narrowed from "touch/handle" to the touch of the tongue, i.e. sampling for flavor, then to flavor itself, and finally, by metaphor, to aesthetic judgment ("good taste").
Root tact still carries 52 more wordsWhy It Means This
taste is the family's biggest drift. The root "touch" first became "touch repeatedly = handle, sample," then narrowed to the one organ that samples by touching — the tongue. From the physical tongue it leapt to the mind's palate: "good taste" is judgment that samples and discriminates, exactly as the tongue does with flavor. The same word now spans the literal (taste the soup) and the abstract (a taste for jazz).
Common Collocations
- 1.acquire a taste for逐渐喜欢上
- 2.in good taste得体的，有品位的
- 3.a taste of初尝……的滋味
- 4.taste in music音乐品味
- 5.leave a bad taste留下不好的印象
Example Sentences
- 1.
This soup has a slightly smoky taste.
- 2.
Would you like to taste the wine before I pour it?
- 3.
She has excellent taste in interior design.
- 4.
The trip gave us a taste of life in the mountains.