palate

noun

1. 1

   The roof of the mouth, separating the cavities of the mouth and nose in vertebrates. A part associated with the mouth of certain invertebrates, somewhat analogous to the palate of vertebrates.

2. 2

   rareThe roof of the mouth, separating the cavities of the mouth and nose in vertebrates. The hypopharynx of an insect.

3. 3

   The roof of the mouth, separating the cavities of the mouth and nose in vertebrates. A projection in the throat of certain bilabiate flowers as the snapdragon.

4. 4

   historicalThe roof of the mouth, separating the cavities of the mouth and nose in vertebrates. The palate of an animal, as an item of food.

   I remember, when he was in Scotland, his praising ‘Gordon's palates’ (a dish of palates at the Honourable Alexander Gordon's) with a warmth of expression which might have done for honour to more important subjects.

5. 5

   figurativeA person's ability to distinguish between and appreciate different flavors.

   Hard task! to hit the palate of such guests.

6. 6

   figurativeMental relish; a liking or affinity for something.

   entertain the palates of Nobles

7. 7

   Taste or flavour, especially with reference to wine or other alcoholic drinks.

8. 8

   obsoleteA dainty article of food.

   I remember, when he was in Scotland, his praising 'Gordon's palates,' (a dish of palates at the Honourable Alexander Gordon's) with a warmth of expression which might have done honour to more important subjects.

verb

1. 1

   To relish; to find palatable.

   Not palating the taste of her dishonour

   "If it’s way out there, it’s hard to palate," said Sreenivasan.

Forms

plural

palates

past tense

palated

past participle

palated

present participle

palating

third person singular

palates