very tall: said of a ship's mast
Origin of taunt
probably aphetic for naut. ataunt, fully rigged from French autant, as much
noun
- The definition of a taunt is a cruel or teasing remark.
An example of a taunt is when someone is called ugly.
- To taunt is to tease, insult or antagonize someone by deliberately saying or doing something mean.
An example of taunt is when a school bully yells mean things at another child.
YourDictionary definition and usage example. Copyright © 2018 by LoveToKnow Corp
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"taunt." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 19 December 2018. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/taunt>.
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taunt. (n.d.). Retrieved December 19th, 2018, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/taunt
taunt
- to reproach in scornful or sarcastic language; jeer at; mock
- to drive or provoke (a person) by taunting
Origin of taunt
from uncertain or unknown; perhaps French tant pour tant, tit for tat a scornful or jeering remark; gibe
Webster's New World College Dictionary, Fifth Edition Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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"taunt." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 19 December 2018. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/taunt>.
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taunt. (n.d.). Retrieved December 19th, 2018, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/taunt
taunt
transitive verb
taunt·ed, taunt·ing, taunts- To reproach in a mocking, insulting, or contemptuous manner: taunted her for wearing hand-me-down clothes. See Synonyms at ridicule.
- a. To drive or incite (a person) by taunting: His friends taunted him into asking for a raise.b. To tease and excite sexually: taunted him with glimpses of skin.
noun
A scornful remark; a jeer.
Origin of taunt
Origin unknownRelated Forms:
- taunt′er
noun
- taunt′ing·ly
adverb
adjective
NauticalUnusually tall. Used of masts.
Origin of taunt
Origin unknownTHE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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MLA Style
"taunt." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 19 December 2018. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/taunt>.
APA Style
taunt. (n.d.). Retrieved December 19th, 2018, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/taunt
Verb
(third-person singular simple present taunts, present participle taunting, simple past and past participle taunted)
- to make fun of (someone); to goad (a person) into responding, often in an aggressive manner.
Adjective
(comparative more taunt, superlative most taunt)
- (nautical) Very high or tall.
- a ship with taunt masts
English Wiktionary. Available under CC-BY-SA license.
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Cite this page
MLA Style
"taunt." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 19 December 2018. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/taunt>.
APA Style
taunt. (n.d.). Retrieved December 19th, 2018, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/taunt
Sentence Examples
- These fans are labeled 'griefers' by some, because they love to taunt a fan base or because they love to see how far they can take the Internet 'whisper' game.
- In other words, hold your hair taunt with one hand, while using the other to maneuver the head of the blow dryer so that the air blows down the shaft, no up.
- A's taunts build throughout the first season, including a letter that breaks up Aria's parents, a taunt on her cell phone that drives away Ezra Fitz (Ian Harding), Rosewood's newest English teacher and Aria's would-be lover.
- Demons used Mary's face to taunt the boys and Dean had to go back in time to try and prevent Mary from making a deal with Azazel that would lead to her death.
- Hidden Conversations: Continually use the "down" taunt with the right character at the right stage and he will participate in a conversation mid-battle.
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