tax
Definitions
A compulsory charge imposed by a government on income, goods, or activities
税，税款
To impose a tax on a person or thing
对……征税
To make heavy demands on; to strain (someone's strength, patience, or resources)
使负担沉重；耗费（精力、耐心等）
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedStraight from Latin taxāre 'to assess, appraise.' A tax is a charge assessed on the value of what you have. The 'strain' sense (a taxing climb taxes your legs) is a metaphor: a hard task levies a toll on your energy just as the state levies one on your wages.
Root tax still carries 13 more wordsUsage Guide
- Finance (neutral): income tax, sales tax — the literal charge
- Verb, charge sense: to tax imports — impose a duty
- Verb, strain sense: it taxes my patience — informal, figurative
- Note: 'tax someone with' (rare/formal) = accuse: he was taxed with negligence
Example Sentences
- 1.
The government raised taxes on cigarettes and alcohol.
- 2.
Online retailers are now taxed in most states.
- 3.
The long hike really taxed my knees and patience.
Synonym Comparison
- tax — a general compulsory government charge
- duty — a tax specifically on imports/exports or certain goods
- tariff — a schedule of duties, especially on traded goods
- levy — the act of imposing/collecting a tax, or the sum levied
- toll — a charge for using a road, bridge, or service