Etymology dictionary. 2014.
Taunt — Taunt, a. [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. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Taunt — Taunt, n. Upbraiding language; bitter or sarcastic reproach; insulting invective. [1913 Webster] With scoffs, and scorns, and contemelious taunts. Shak. [1913 Webster] With sacrilegious taunt and impious jest. Prior. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
taunt — taunt·er; taunt·ing·ly; taunt; … English syllables
Taunt — Taunt, v. 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.… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
taunt — [n] provocation; teasing backhanded compliment*, barb, brickbat*, censure, comeback, crack, cut, derision, dig, dirty dig*, dump, gibe, insult, jab, jeer, mockery, outrage, parting shot*, put down*, reproach, ridicule, sarcasm, slam*, slap*,… … New thesaurus
taunt — index badger, bait (harass), denigrate, discompose, disparage, jape, jeer, mock ( … Law dictionary
taunt — vb mock, deride, *ridicule, twit, rally Analogous words: *scoff, jeer, gibe, flout: affront, insult, *offend, outrage: scorn, disdain, scout (see DESPISE): chaff, *banter … New Dictionary of Synonyms
taunt — ► NOUN ▪ a jeering or mocking remark made in order to wound or provoke. ► VERB ▪ provoke or wound with taunts. DERIVATIVES taunter noun. ORIGIN from French tant pour tant like for like, tit for tat … English terms dictionary
taunt — taunt1 [tônt, tänt] adj. [prob. aphetic for naut. ataunt, fully rigged < Fr autant, as much] very tall: said of a ship s mast taunt2 [tônt, tänt] vt. [< ? Fr tant pour tant, tit for tat] 1. to reproach in scornful or sarcastic language;… … English World dictionary
Taunt — A taunt is a battle cry, a method in hand to hand combat, sarcastic remark, or insult intended to make the other feel miserable and powerless. Taunting is a form of social competition, of which purpose is to gain control of the target s cultural… … Wikipedia
