[-ING1.]
1. The action of the verb TASTE. a. In a general sense, trying, testing; † esp., in early use, touching, feeling; also the sense of touch (obs.).
13[?]. K. Alis., 4031 (Bodl. MS.). It is ywrite þat euery þing Hym self sheweþ in þe tastyng.
c. 1375. Sc. Leg. Saints, vi. (Thomas), 407. Wittis four,… sycht, herynge, gustyne, tastyne.
c. 1430. Pilgr. Lyf Manhode, I. cxxi. (1869), 63. Alle tastinges generalliche is vnderstonde bi the hondes.
1711, 1850. [see TASTE v. 2 b].
b. Now, the action of TASTE v. II; † also formerly, the faculty or sense, and the quality of a substance so apprehended: = TASTE sb.1 4, 5 (obs.).
1390. Gower, Conf., III. 33. I take of love my fiedinge Without tastinge or fielinge.
1426. Audelay, Poems, 7. Thi heryng, thi seyng, as I the schewe, Thi syȝt, thi smellyng, here be iij. Thi touchyng, thi tastyng, here v. ther be.
c. 1460. J. Russell, Bk. Nurture, 1199. Credence is vsed, and tastynge, for drede of poysenynge.
1530. Palsgr., 279/2. Tastyng with the mouthe, govster.
a. 1547. Surrey, Poems (1717), 124.
| Such groping for the swete, such tasting of the sower, | |
| Such wandering here for worldly welth that loste is in one hower. |
1774. Goldsm., Nat. Hist. (1776), II. 183. The sense most nearly allied to smelling is that of tasting.
1841–4. Emerson, Ess., Exper., Wks. (Bohn), I. 178. Intellectual tasting of life will not supersede muscular activity.
1898. ‘Ian Maclaren,’ in Woman at Home, Oct., 56/1. If Thomas takes to tasting [i.e., tippling, drinking] … it’s all over with him.
2. quasi-concr. A small portion taken to try the taste; a taste (esp. of spirituous liquor). Also fig.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (1531), 49. For they be but tastynges, shadowes, or tokens of the gloryous fruytes to come.
1830. Cunningham, Brit. Paint., II. 69. He gave them a tasting of his spirit in two or three sarcastic sentences.
1893. J. Skinner, Autobiog. Metaphysician, vii. 48. He got a glass from Mr. Reed and another tasting from another neighbour.
3. attrib. and Comb., as tasting power; tasting-bone, a bone put into the broth to give it a taste or flavor; tasting-knife, a cheese-taster (see TASTER 3 b); tasting-order, an order to visit stores of wine, etc., and to taste or sample them.
1850. Mrs. Carlyle, Lett. to Carlyle, 8 Sept. It [Kingsley’s Alton Locke] seems to me … a mere … broth of Morning-chronicle-ism, in which you play the part of the *tasting-bone of Poverty Row.
1757. H. Walpole, trans. Hentzner’s Trav., 52. At last came an unmarried Lady … and along with her a married one, bearing a *tasting-knife.
1859. Sala, Gas-light & D., xiv. Quite gone in liquor and overcome with the *tasting orders of years.
1599. Davies, Immort. Soul, ccxv. Therefore the Soule doth vse the *tasting power.
1845. Caroline Bowles, The Birth-Day, II. 56.
| From Ephraim’s hand received the finish’d spade | |
| Whose small dimension might have served at need | |
| Some kitchen damsel for a tasting spoon. |
