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American Dictionary of the English Language

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Palate


PAL'ATE, noun [Latin palatum, properly the arch or cope of heaven.]

1. The roof or upper part of the mouth. The glands in this part of the mouth secrete a mucous fluid, which lubricates the mouth and throat, and facilitates deglutition.

2. Taste.

Hard task to hit the palates of such guests.

[This signification of the word originated in the opinion that the palate is the instrument of taste. This is a mistake. In itself it has no power of taste.]

3. Mental relish; intellectual taste.

Men of nice palates could not relish Aristotle, as dressed up by the schoolmen.

PAL'ATE, verb transitive To perceive by the taste. [Not used.]