Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Taunt

Taunt

,
Adj.
[Cf. OF.
tant
so great, F.
tant
so much, L.
tantus
of such size, so great, so much.]
(Naut.)
Very high or tall;
as, a ship with
taunt
masts
.
Totten.

Taunt

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Taunted
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Taunting
.]
[Earlier, to tease; probably fr. OF.
tanter
to tempt, to try, for
tenter
. See
Tempt
.]
To reproach with severe or insulting words; to revile; to upbraid; to jeer at; to flout.
When I had at my pleasure
taunted
her.
Shakespeare
Syn. – To deride; ridicule; mock; jeer; flout; revile. See
Deride
.

Taunt

,
Noun.
Upbraiding language; bitter or sarcastic reproach; insulting invective.
With scoffs, and scorns, and contemelious
taunts
.
Shakespeare
With sacrilegious
taunt
and impious jest.
Prior.

Webster 1828 Edition


Taunt

T`AUNT

, v.t.
1.
To reproach with severe or insulting words; to revile; to upbraid.
When I had at my pleasure taunted her--
2.
To exprobrate; to censure.
Rail thou in Fulvia's phrase,and taunt my faults.

T`AUNT

,
Noun.
Upbraiding words; bitter or sarcastic reproach; insulting invective.
With sacrilegious taunt and impious jest.

Definition 2024


taunt

taunt

English

Verb

taunt (third-person singular simple present taunts, present participle taunting, simple past and past participle taunted)

  1. to make fun of (someone); to goad (a person) into responding, often in an aggressive manner.
Translations

Noun

taunt (plural taunts)

  1. A scornful or mocking remark; a jeer or mockery
Translations

Etymology 2

Compare Old French tant (so great), French tant (so much), Latin tantus (of such size, so great, so much). See ataunt.

Adjective

taunt (comparative more taunt, superlative most taunt)

  1. (nautical) Very high or tall.
    a ship with taunt masts
    (Can we find and add a quotation of Totten to this entry?)