Task , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Tasked (?);
p. pr. & vb. n.
Tasking.]
1. To impose a task
upon; to assign a definite amount of business, labor, or duty to.
There task thy maids, and exercise the loom.
Dryden.
2. To oppress with severe or excessive burdens; to tax.
3. To charge; to
tax, as with
a fault.
Too impudent
to task me with those
errors.
Beau. & Fl.
Task (t&adot;sk), n. [OE. taske, OF.
tasque, F. tâche,
for tasche, LL. tasca, taxa, fr.
L. taxare to rate, appraise, estimate. See Tax, n. &
v.]
1. Labor or study imposed by another, often in a definite
quantity or amount.
Ma task of servile toil.
Milton. Each morning sees some task begin,
Each evening sees it close.
Longfellow.
2. Business; employment; undertaking; labor.
His mental powers were equal to
greater tasks.
Atterbury. To take to task. See under Take.
Syn. -- Work; labor; employment; business; toil; drudgery; study; lesson; stint.
Hear it pronounced