n.

1. the sensation that results when taste buds in the tongue and throat convey information about the chemical composition of a soluble stimulus;
   taste sensation, gustatory sensation, taste perception, gustatory perception
   
   • the candy left him with a bad taste
   • the melon had a delicious taste
2. a strong liking;
   preference, penchant, predilection
   
   • my own preference is for good literature
   • the Irish have a penchant for blarney
3. delicate discrimination (especially of aesthetic values);
   appreciation, discernment, perceptiveness
   
   • arrogance and lack of taste contributed to his rapid success
   • to ask at that particular time was the ultimate in bad taste
4. a brief experience of something
   
   • he got a taste of life on the wild side
   • she enjoyed her brief taste of independence
5. a small amount eaten or drunk;
   mouthful
   
   • take a taste--you'll like it
6. the faculty of distinguishing sweet, sour, bitter, and salty properties in the mouth;
   gustation, sense of taste, gustatory modality
   
   • his cold deprived him of his sense of taste
7. a kind of sensing; distinguishing substances by means of the taste buds;
   tasting
   
   • a wine tasting

v.

1. have flavor; taste of something;
   savor, savour
2. take a sample of;
   sample, try, try out
   
   • Try these new crackers
   • Sample the regional dishes
3. perceive by the sense of taste
   
   • Can you taste the garlic?
4. have a distinctive or characteristic taste;
   smack
   
   • This tastes of nutmeg
5. distinguish flavors
   
   • We tasted wines last night
6. experience briefly
   
   • The ex-slave tasted freedom shortly before she died