tauntn.1
/tɔːnt/, U.S. /tɔnt/, /tɑnt/ΘΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > reciprocal treatment or return of an action > another may act in similar way [phrase] > like for like
to give lill for lollc1425
taunt for (pour) taunt1542
quid pro quo1560
tip for tap1573
veny for veny1612
tint for tant1620
1542 N. Udall tr. Erasmus Apophthegmes f. 311 Cicero for that he had separated & deuided hymself from Piso, who had marryed his doughter, gaue Pompeius again taunte pour taunte, for ye same kept warre against his owne father in lawe.
1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. I. Luke iii. f. 48v Answer taunt pour taunt the one contrarie to the other.
a1554 J. Croke tr. Thirteen Psalms (1844) xxxviii. 13 When they rebuked me so sore, I wold not render taunt for taunt.
1620 T. Granger Syntagma Logicum 124 Regestion is commonly termed like for like, pin driuing out a pin, tint for taunt.
ΘΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > derision, ridicule, or mockery > caustic or ironic ridicule > [noun] > instance of
gesta1387
quippy1519
quip1532
irony1534
nip1549
taunta1566
slent?1567
gamegall1577
yark1577
veny1586
jerk1590
wipe1596
glance1602
satire1606
by-wipe1641
quib1656
trait1704
skit1727
slant1825
ironism1842
wiper1846
by-quip1855
satirization1868
snapper1890
crack1896
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > derision, ridicule, or mockery > jeering, taunting, or scoffing > [noun] > instance of
hoker-wordOE
gabc1225
scornc1275
jape1377
bourda1387
gaudc1440
knack1513
scoffing1530
gleekc1540
jest1548
to have a fling at?1550
snack?1554
boba1566
taunta1566
gird1566
flim-flam-flirt1573
gibe1573
scoff1573
flouting-stock1593
mycterism1593
flirt1613
fleera1616
scomma1620
jeer1631
snouchc1780
brocard1837
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > wit, wittiness > wit with words > sarcasm > [noun] > instance of
quippy1519
quip1532
taunta1566
slent?1567
wipe1596
quib1656
trait1704
slant1825
wisecrack1924
a1566 R. Edwards Damon & Pithias (1571) sig. B3 Ready to answer, quicke in tauntes, pleasaunt to jeste.
a1625 J. Fletcher Humorous Lieut. iv. i, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Rrr4v/1 She's as wanton as a kid toth' out side, As full of mocks and taunts.
3. † b. transferred. An object of insulting or scornful gibes. Obsolete. rare.
a. An insulting or provoking gibe or sarcasm; a mocking or scornful reproach or challenge; a casting of something in any one's teeth.
ΘΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disapproval > reproach > [noun] > instance of
upbraida1200
parablec1350
abraid?a1439
taunt?1499
tench1513
touch1522
exprobration1526
checka1529
twit1528
upbray1590
reproach1611
upcast1669
slow clap1937
?1499 J. Skelton Bowge of Courte (de Worde) sig. Aiij Her chyef gentylwoman..Gaue me ataunte and sayde I was to blame.
1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. I. Luke ii. f. 25v There was in hym no malapertenesse of cockyng or geuyng tauntes.
1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum Tawnte, morsus,..pipulum.
a1572 J. Knox Hist. Reformation Scotl. in Wks. (1846) I. 12 Many tantis war gevin thame in thair teith.
1603 P. Holland tr. Plutarch Morals 354 True it is that a man of government may otherwhiles give a taunt and nipping scoffe, he may cast out also a merrie jest to moove laughter.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 1 (1623) i. vi. 17 With scoffes and scornes, and contumelious taunts . View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor (1623) v. v. 142 Haue I liu'd to stand at the taunt of one that makes Fritters of English? View more context for this quotation
1680 C. Ness Compl. Church-hist. 146 Many a taunt was cast on the old king.
1725 A. Pope tr. Homer Odyssey I. iii. 179 With ireful taunts each other they oppose.
1871 B. Taylor tr. J. W. von Goethe Faust I. xix. 204 With sneers and stinging taunts disgrace me.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > condition of being held in contempt > [noun] > state or quality of being contemptible > object of contempt
despitea1340
parablec1350
reproofa1382
scorn1535
reproach1560
scorning-stocka1586
contempt1589
taunt1611
contemptible1654
Aunt Sally1859
1611 Bible (King James) Jer. xxiv. 9 I will deliuer them..to be a reproch and a prouerbe, a taunt and a curse. View more context for this quotation
Compounds
taunt-song n. used to refer to certain passages in the Old Testament, spec. as a rendering of Hebrew māšāl.
ΘΚΠ
society > faith > aspects of faith > Bible, Scripture > Hebrew scripture > [noun] > Old Testament
Targum1587
taunt-song1906
1906 S. R. Driver Habakkuk (Cent. Bible) 78 ‘Parable’ in these passages [sc. Habakkuk 2: 6] suggests a wholly incorrect idea; and the best rendering is probably taunt-song.
1928 C. Gore et al. New Comm. on Holy Scripture 444/1 In that day of relief from sorrow and fear a taunt-song will be sung against the King of Babylon.
1959 G. W. Anderson Crit. Introd. Old Test. v. 109 The second contains a striking taunt-song over the descent of a tyrant..to the abode of the dead.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1910; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
† tauntn.2
Obsolete. rare.
A branch, a twig.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > part of plant > part of tree or woody plant > [noun] > bough or branch > twig
stickeOE
twigc950
yardc950
sprintlea1250
ricec1275
twistc1374
sarmenta1398
tinea1400
lancec1400
pirnc1450
shred15..
shrubc1530
shrag1552
taunt1567
ramelet1652
hag wood1804
hag1808
fibre1810
twiglet1849
virgultum1866
thorn-twig1895
twigling1907
1567 A. Golding tr. Ovid Metamorphosis (new ed.) vii. f. 91 And all the Pismeres creeping still vpon his tawnts and sprigs [L. totidemque animalia ramis Ferre].
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1910; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
tauntadj.adv.
/tɔːnt/, U.S. /tɔnt/, /tɑnt/ A. adj.
1. (?) Haughty; ‘high and mighty’; ‘stuck-up’. In modern dialect saucy, pert.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pride > haughtiness or disdainfulness > [adjective]
overmoodeOE
highlyOE
overmoodOE
overmoodyOE
orgelc1175
dangerous?c1225
orgula1275
orgulousc1275
fiercec1290
hautain1297
highfulc1325
squeamousc1325
deignousc1330
digne1340
disdainousc1374
sirlya1375
lordlyc1390
high-hearteda1398
haught1430
haut1430
coppedc1449
excellentc1450
fastidious?a1475
loftyc1485
dain?1507
hichty1513
stiff-necked1526
supercilious1528
haughty1530
taunt?a1534
disdainfula1542
high in the instep1555
skeighc1560
queen-like?1571
surlyc1572
stately1579
coy1581
paughtya1586
steya1586
disdained1598
dortya1605
lordlike1605
overly1606
magnatical1608
stiff1608
surly-borne1609
high-sighted1610
lofty-minded1611
sublimed1611
patronizing1619
lording1629
sublimated1634
cavaliering1642
uncondescending1660
nose-in-the-air1673
sidy1673
fastuose1674
uncondescensive1681
condescending1707
stiff-rumped1728
fastidiose1730
cavalier1751
ogertful1754
pawky1809
supercilian1825
splendid1833
touch-me-not1852
pincé1858
high-stepping1867
eyeglassy1871
sniffy1871
cavalierly1876
snifty1889
Olympian1900
ritzy1920
mugwumpish1923
blasé1930
stiff-arsed1937
nose-high1939
the mind > emotion > pride > pretension to superiority > [adjective]
taunt?a1534
cocket1537
fastuous?1591
cobbing1599
whalebone1602
airy1606
fastigious1625
flatuous1630
high and mighty1633
vapouring1647
flatulent1658
hoity-toity1690
jackanapish1696
superior1711
penseful1788
uppish1789
pensy1790
stuck-up1812
glorified1821
toploftical1823
pretentious1832
sophomoric1837
highty-tighty1847
snippy1848
jumped-up1852
set-up1856
toplofty1859
cock-aloft1861
high-tone1864
high-toned1866
pretensivea1868
fancy-pants1870
hunched1870
snotty1870
head-in-air1880
uppity1880
jackanapsian1881
airified1882
sidey1898
posh1914
upstage1918
snooty1919
high-hatted1924
hincty1924
snot-nosed1941
posho1989
?a1534 H. Medwall Nature i. sig. ciii Thys boy ys passyng taunte [rhyme avant].
c1540 Image Ipocrysy ii, in J. Skelton Poet. Wks. (1843) II. 425/1 He is so hault and taunt That he dare hyme avaunt, All erthly men to daunt.
1880 M. A. Courtney W. Cornwall Words in M. A. Courtney & T. Q. Couch Gloss. Words Cornwall Taunt, pert. ‘A taunt piece of goods.’
1882 F. W. P. Jago Anc. Lang. & Dial. Cornwall Taunt, pert, ‘high and mighty’, saucy.
2. † b. with taunt sail(s), also bearing a taunt sail, with all sail set: cf. ataunt adv. 2. Obsolete.
a. Nautical. Of masts: Excessively tall or lofty.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > equipment of vessel > masts, rigging, or sails > spar > [adjective] > excessively tall (of mast)
tauntc1579
c1579 [implied in: A. Montgomerie Misc. Poems xlviii. 93 Vp uent our saillis, tauntit to the huins [= hunes], The trumpits soundit tuentie mirrie tuins. (at taunt v.2)].
1622 R. Hawkins Observ. Voiage South Sea lix. 138 Neither can the ship be so strong with a decke and a halfe..; nor carry her Mastes so taunt; nor spread so great a clue.
a1625 H. Mainwaring Nomenclator Navalis (Harl. 2301) Taunt is when a mast is very high for the proportion of the shipp, wee saie it is a Taunt-mast.
1627 J. Smith Sea Gram. iii. 15 For a man of warre, a well ordered Taunt-mast is best.
1627 J. Smith Sea Gram. iii. 17 If your Masts be taunt, your yards must be the shorter.
1699 B. E. New Dict. Canting Crew Tant, Tantest, Mast of a Ship or Man, Tall, Tallest.
1736 J. Lewis Hist. Isle Tenet (ed. 2) Gloss. Taant, tall, or too high for its breadth or bigness, ‘a taant mast, house’.
1831 Examiner 740/2 With a deep keel and sharp run, taunt sticks and spanking sails.
1851 R. Kipping Sails & Sail-making (ed. 2) 189 Taunt, an epithet, at sea, signifying high or tall. It is particularly expressed of the masts, when they are of extraordinary length.
1863 J. P. Robson Songs Bards of Tyne 397 Tant ships, that come with rampant rig, Against its sides are rested.
1898 F. T. Bullen Cruise ‘Cachalot’ xxviii. 370 The ‘crow's nests’ are dismantled, taunt topgallant-masts sent up, and royal yards crossed.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > use of sails, spars, or rigging > with sails set [phrase] > with all sail set
with taunt sail(s)1622
1622 R. Hawkins Observ. Voiage South Sea liii. 124 With much winde, and a chapping Sea, bearing a taunt-sayle.
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. v. 177 Shippes were wont to passe vnder with taunt sayles.
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. x. 502 A gallant ship, puft with taunt saile.
(?) To the full, thoroughly: cf. ataunt adv. 1. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > completeness > [adverb] > fully or to full extent or in full
fullyeOE
wellOE
plenarly?1316
largelyc1325
abandonc1330
perfectly1340
sadlya1375
plainlya1382
fullily1385
largea1400
atauntc1400
taunta1550
in toto1573
good1577
soundly1577
richly1588
plenarily1615
sounda1616
plenally1631
a1550 Hye Way to Spyttel Ho. 542 in W. C. Hazlitt Remains Early Pop. Poetry Eng. IV. 49 And there they prate, and make theyr auaunt Of theyr deceytes, and drynk adew taunt.
Compounds
taunt-masted adj.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > vessel propelled by sail > [adjective] > having masts > having specific type of masts
undermasted1599
taunt-masted1627
pole-masted1666
1627 J. Smith Sea Gram. iii. 15 Taunt-masted.
1704 J. Harris Lexicon Technicum I Taunt, when the Masts of a Ship are too tall for her, they say she is Taunt-masted, or that her Masts are very Taunt.
taunt-rigged adj.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > vessel propelled by sail > [adjective] > rigged > in specific ways
lateen1540
high-riggeda1547
tall1548
well-rigged1577
under-sailed1599
over-rigged1627
schooner-rigged1769
sloop-rigged1769
ketch-rigged1775
spritsail1791
brig-rigged1796
square-rigged1802
ship-rigged1803
taunt-rigged1825
Bermudian-rigged1846
Bermudian1847
maphrodite1849
bark-rigged1858
butter-rigged1881
jackass rigged1883
1825 H. B. Gascoigne Path to Naval Fame 70 Taunt rigg'd she seems, and like a Privateer.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1910; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
tauntv.1
/tɔːnt/, U.S. /tɔnt/, /tɑnt/ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > answer > [verb (intransitive)] > retort > wittily
taunta1529
repartee1640
a1529 J. Skelton Poems against Garnesche in Poet Wks. (1843) I. 119 To turney or to tante with me ye ar to fare to seke.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Edward V f. xviv [Jane Shore] had a propre wytte..somtyme tantyng without displeasure, but not without disporte.
1548 W. Thomas Ital. Gram. & Dict. (1567) Motteggiare, to taunt pretely, or to cutte another mans woordes wittily or finely.
a. transitive. To answer (a person) with a bantering or mocking rejoinder; to ‘chaff’, banter. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > derision, ridicule, or mockery > banter or good-humoured ridicule > banter [verb (transitive)]
tauntc1530
railly1668
rally1672
banter1677
smoke1699
to get, take, or have a rise out of1703
joke1748
to run a rig1764
badinage1778
queer1778
quiz1787
to poke (one's) fun (at)1795
gammon1801
chaff1826
to run on ——1830
rig1841
trail1847
josh1852
jolly1874
chip1898
barrack1901
horse1901
jazz1927
to take the mike out ofa1935
to take the piss (out of)1945
to take the mickey (out of)1948
c1530 A. Barclay Egloges ii. sig. Kiv If thou call for ought by worde sygne, or becke Than Jacke with the busshe shal tant the with a checke.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 58 The king receyued him..taunting him iestingly and merily, as though one Realme were not able to holde them both.
1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1895) II. 8 This man tane in the feild the Bruse mirrilie tantis, and sayis, Welcome father, says he.
b. dialect. (See quot. a1825.)
ΚΠ
a1825 R. Forby Vocab. E. Anglia (1830) Taunt, v. to teize, to pester with silly questions, importunate entreaties, or any mode of minute vexation.
3.
a. To reproach (a person) with something in a sarcastic, scornful, or insulting way.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > derision, ridicule, or mockery > jeering, taunting, or scoffing > [verb (transitive)]
heascenc1000
gabc1225
tita1400
knackc1425
scoff1530
flout1551
taunt1560
gird1573
beflout1574
scoff1578
gibe1582
flirt1593
gleek1593
to geck at1603
to gall ata1616
jeera1616
gorea1632
jest1721
fleer1732
chi-hike1874
chip1898
chip1898
to sling off (at)1911
jive1928
sound1958
wolf1966
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disapproval > reproach > [verb (transitive)]
edwitec825
shendc897
lehtriec1000
atwiteOE
gaba1200
begredec1200
tucka1225
reprove?1316
braidc1325
abraidc1330
upbraida1340
reprocec1350
reprucec1350
umbraida1393
reproacha1400
brixlec1400
saya1470
embraid1481
outbraid1509
check1526
twit1530
entwite1541
broide1546
taunt1560
upbray1581
improperate1623
betwit1661
to jack up1896
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. ccclxiijv Than waxed he also more angry, and..taunted them with sore rebukes.
1565 T. Cooper Thesaurus Increpare probris, to taunte with reprochful woordes.
1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World II. 571 Mamurra, whom the Poet Catullus..so tanted and reuiled in his verses.
1722 D. Defoe Jrnl. Plague Year 78 They..taunted him with want of Courage to leap into the great Pit.
1801 M. Edgeworth Forester in Moral Tales I. 126 It ill became a person, who did not dress nearly as well as themselves..to taunt his betters with poverty.
1879 J. A. Froude Cæsar xxii. 386 They taunted him with cowardice.
b. intransitive. To utter taunts or stinging reproaches.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > derision, ridicule, or mockery > jeering, taunting, or scoffing > [verb (intransitive)]
gab?c1225
scoffa1380
mockc1475
to mock and mow1509
jest1526
jeer1553
taunt1560
gibe1567
scripa1572
to come over ——1600
flirt1603
tit1622
to sling off (at)1911
signify1932
barrack-
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disapproval > reproach > [verb (intransitive)]
upbraida1340
taunt1560
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. cccvj I am not so cleane without experience, but I could taunte againe.
1577 W. Fulke Confut. Doctr. Purgatory 370 You taunt at the author of that booke.
a1688 J. Bunyan Israel's Hope Encouraged in Wks. (1853) I. 613 Those very men that are pleased to taunt at this kind of inference.
1802 M. Moore Lascelles II. 21 Mr. Richards was taunting at the disappointed Miss le Gros.
1850 E. B. Browning tr. Æschylus Prometheus Bound (rev. ed.) in Poems (new ed.) I. 143 Here, now, taunt on!
c. transitive with object clause. To say tauntingly. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > derision, ridicule, or mockery > jeering, taunting, or scoffing > [verb (transitive)] > utter scoffingly or tauntingly
scoff1862
taunt1873
1873 R. Browning Red Cotton Night-cap Country ii. 99 Folks may taunt That half your rock-built wall is rubble-heap!
1878 R. Browning La Saisiaz 299 Taunt not ‘Human work ape work divine?’
4. transitive. To drive or get by taunting; to provoke.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > motivation > motivate [verb (transitive)] > incite or instigate > by taunting
taunt1813
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disapproval > reproach > [verb (transitive)] > drive or get by
taunt1813
1813 Ld. Byron Bride Abydos ii. xviii. 322 Proscribed at home, And taunted to a wish to roam.
1837 W. Irving Adventures Capt. Bonneville III. xlix. 253 But the Blackfeet were not to be taunted out of their safe shelter.
1888 Pall Mall Gaz. 31 July 11/2 Viscount Wolmer probably repented of having helped to taunt it out of Mr. Morley.
Derivatives
ˈtaunted adj.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > derision, ridicule, or mockery > jeering, taunting, or scoffing > [adjective] > taunted
taunted1818
the mind > will > motivation > [adjective] > inciting or instigating > incited or instigated > by taunting
taunted1818
1818 W. Scott Battle of Sempach xii ‘Shalt see then how the game will fare’, The taunted knight replied.
1882 Sat. Rev. 6 May 567/1 When the taunted victim..has drunk deep enough of the bitterness of death.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1910; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
† tauntv.2
Nautical. Obsolete. rare.
transitive. To hoist, raise, elevate.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > use of sails, spars, or rigging > carry specific amount of sail [verb (transitive)] > set or spread (sails) > raise (sail or yard)
windc1275
to hoise sail1490
to seize upc1540
hoisen1553
tauntc1579
ride1880
up1890
c1579 A. Montgomerie Misc. Poems xlviii. 93 Vp uent our saillis, tauntit to the huins [= hunes], The trumpits soundit tuentie mirrie tuins.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1910; most recently modified version published online June 2021).
<
n.1?1499
n.21567adj.adv.?a1534
v.1a1529v.2c1579