To taunt means “to ridicule” or “to mock.” Taut means “tense” or “drawn tight.” Taught is the past tense and past participle of the verb teach.
Is it “taunt” or “taut”?
I am told that medical personnel often mistakenly refer to a patient’s abdomen as “taunt” rather than the correct “taut.” “Taunt” (“tease” or “mock”) can be a verb or noun, but never an adjective. “Taut” means “tight, distended,” and is always an adjective. “Taut” is also occasionally misspelled “taught.”
What does taunt the dog mean?
"We should taunt the dog, its being laying lazily around." Taut is when something is tight and under tension like on a bow or rope. It could also mean someone experiencing stress and anxiety. "Your organ seems taut in those trousers."
What does taut taut mean?
Taut is when something is tight and under tension like on a bow or rope. It could also mean someone experiencing stress and anxiety. "Your organ seems taut in those trousers."
What does it mean to taunt a rope?
Alas for the ropes, they are kept taut, not taunt. Ha ha, your rope has a knot in it. Taut came into English in the 15th century from Middle English. Its earliest uses refer to something being stretched to the limit—a taut mouth crammed with food—and then to bulging muscles (as opposed to flab).
Why do people say taunt instead of taut?
Taut comes to us from the mid-thirteenth century tohte or Middle English toght, meaning stretched or pulled tight. A taunt is a remark made in order to mock or provoke someone. Taunting is teasing, but with a slightly more malevolent intent.
Is it taunt or taught?
To taunt means “to ridicule” or “to mock.” Taut means “tense” or “drawn tight.” Taught is the past tense and past participle of the verb teach. Example: The crowd taunted the candidate as he touted his belief that everyone should be taught the three Rs and expected to walk a taut line in order to graduate.
What does it mean if something is taut?
tightly drawn; tensetightly drawn; tense; not slack. emotionally or mentally strained or tense: taut nerves. in good order or condition; tidy; neat.
How do you spell taunt as in tight?
Taunt, unlike taut, hasn't changed meaning much since it first appeared in written English: it has always referred to teasing or making fun of something.
How do you use taut in a sentence?
Taut sentence exampleNow that the storm had passed, her taut muscles relaxed and she felt weak. ... Across the room, Darkyn held the tension of a taut rubber band. ... Dean leaned over and grasped the taut line that ran unseen over the edge. ... His skin was smooth and warm, stretched taut over an athletic body.More items...
What is the synonym of taut?
flexed, tensed, tightened, hard, solid, firm, rigid, stiff, unyielding. relaxed. 3'he glared at her with a taut expression' fraught, strained, stressed, tense, drawn, drained, sapped, fatigued, tired. informal uptight.
Is there a word taut?
Taut is an adjective that is most often used to refer to something that is pulled tight, like "a taut rope," or is bulging or filled to capacity, like "taut muscles." Taunt is a noun and a verb that refers to teasing or making fun of a person.
What is an example of taut?
The definition of taut is pulled or stretched tight. An example of taut is a strong wind pulling the sail tight on a boat. An example of taut is a person's smile being pulled into a straight line. Pulled or drawn tight; not slack.
Is taut a Scrabble word?
TAUT is a valid scrabble word.
What is the difference between tight and taut?
Tight and taut are two words with pretty similar meanings. Tight refers more to holding things together and how close things are. Taut refers to things that are drawn tightly and kept in order. The words are not interchangeable because although they are similar, they are not the same.
What is the difference between taught and taut?
Taught is a transitive verb, which is a verb that takes an object. Taught comes from the Old English tahte, past tense of the Old English word taecan. Taut is an adjective which means pulled tight, tense and strained, controlled.
What is the correct meaning of the word tantalize?
to tease or tormentDefinition of tantalize transitive verb. : to tease or torment by or as if by presenting something desirable to the view but continually keeping it out of reach.