palate

plural palates

1. The roof of the mouth, separating the cavities of the mouth and nose in vertebrates.
   1. anatomyA part associated with the mouth of certain invertebrates, somewhat analogous to the palate of vertebrates.First known use 14th c.

      Synonyms: uraniscus

   2. rareanatomyThe hypopharynx of an insect.First known use 14th c.

      Synonyms: uraniscus

   3. anatomyA projection in the throat of certain bilabiate flowers as the snapdragon.First known use 14th c.

      Synonyms: uraniscus

   4. historicalanatomyThe palate of an animal, as an item of food.First known use 14th c.

      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.

      1791, James Boswell, Life of Samuel Johnson, Oxford, page 332

      Synonyms: uraniscus

2. figurativelyA person's ability to distinguish between and appreciate different flavors.First known use 14th c.

   Hard task! to hit the palate of such guests.

   1733–1737, Alexander Pope, [Imitations of Horace], London: […] R[obert] Dodsley [et al.]

3. figurativelyMental relish; a liking or affinity for something.First known use 15th c.

   entertain the palates of Nobles

   1656, Thomas Baker, he Wicked Mans Plot Defeated

4. Taste or flavour, especially with reference to wine or other alcoholic drinks.First known use 20th c.
5. 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.

   1791, James Boswell, Life of Johnson

present singular third person palates · participle present palating · participle past palated · past palated

1. nonstandardtransitiveTo relish; to find palatable.

   Not palating the taste of her dishonour

   c. 1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Troylus and Cressida”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene i]

   1 more example

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

   2013 October 10, Adam Mann, “Number Crunching Shows Old Movies Are More Creative Than New Ones”, in WIRED

   Synonyms: stomach