Taunt (?), a. [Cf. OF. tant so great,
F. tant so much, L. tantus of such size, so great, so much.]
(Naut.) Very high or tall; as, a ship with taunt
masts. Totten.
Taunt (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Taunted; p. pr. & vb. n.
Taunting.] [Earlier, to tease; probably fr. OF. tanter to
tempt, to try, for tenter. See Tempt.] To reproach with
severe or insulting words; to revile; to upbraid; to jeer at; to
flout.
When I had at my pleasure taunted her.
Shak.
Syn. -- To deride; ridicule; mock; jeer; flout; revile. See
Deride.
Taunt, n. Upbraiding language; bitter or
sarcastic reproach; insulting invective.
With scoffs, and scorns, and contemelious
taunts.
Shak.
With sacrilegious taunt and impious
jest.
Prior.