Forms: 6 taunte, tawnte, 6–7 tant, 6– taunt. [Taunt sb.1 and vb.1 are not found before 1500; origin obscure.
The most likely suggestion is that the sb. arose from the Fr. phrase tant pour tant, ‘one for another, tit for tat,’ lit, ‘as much for so much,’ englished in 16th c. as taunt pour taunt and taunt for taunt; hence, as primary sense, ‘a return thrust, an effective rejoinder.’ But the chronology of the sb. and vb. makes this doubtful.
Other suggestions, for vb. or sb., are OF. tanter, variant of tenter to try, prove, tempt; MHG. tant empty talk; and Du. tanden ‘impetere, invadere aliquem’ (Kilian), none of which seem adequate.]
† 1. In phrase taunt for (pour) taunt, like for like, tit for tat, in reply or rejoinder. Obs.
1542. Udall, Erasm. Apoph., 311. Cicero for that he had separated & deuided hymself from Piso, who had marryed his doughter, gaue Pompeius again taunte pour taunte, for ye same kept warre against his owne father in lawe. Ibid. (1548), Erasm. Par. Luke, iii. 48 b. Answer taunt pour taunt the one contrarie to the other.
c. 1550. Croke, XIII Ps. (Percy Soc.), 13. When they rebuked me so sore, I wold not render taunt for taunt.
1620. T. Granger, Div. Logike, 124. Regestion is commonly termed like for like, pin driuing out a pin, tint for taunt.
† 2. A smart or clever rejoinder, a jesting quip or witty gibe; banter. Obs.
1571. Damon & Pithias, in Hazl., Dodsley, IV. 24. Ready to answer, quick in taunts, pleasant to jest.
1579. Lyly, Euphues (Arb.), 33. Fine phrases, smooth quippes, merry tauntes.
a. 1625. Fletcher, Hum. Lieutenant, IV. i. She’s as wanton as a Kid to th’ out side, As full of Mocks and Taunts.
3. An insulting or provoking gibe or sarcasm; a mocking or scornful reproach or challenge; a casting of something in any one’s teeth.
a. 1529. Skelton, Bowge of Courte, 70. Her chyef gentylwoman … Gaue me a taunte, and sayde I was to blame.
1548. Udall, Erasm. Par. Luke ii. 25 b. There was in hym no malapertenesse of cockyng or geuyng tauntes.
1552. Huloet, Tawnte, morsus,… pipulum.
a. 1572. Knox, Hist. Ref., Wks. 1846, I. 12. Many tantis war gevin thame in thair teith.
1591. Shaks., 1 Hen. VI., I. iv. 39. With scoffes and scornes, and contumelious taunts. Ibid. (1598), Merry W., V. v. 151. Haue I liu’d to stand at the taunt of one that makes Fritters of English?
1603. Holland, Plutarch’s Mor., 354. True it is that a man of government may otherwhiles give a taunt and nipping scoffe, he may cast out also a merrie jest to moove laughter.
1680. C. Nesse, Church Hist., 146. Many a taunt was cast on the old king.
1725. Pope, Odyss., III. 179. With ireful taunts each other they oppose.
1871. B. Taylor, Faust (1875), I. xix. 168. With sneers and stinging taunts disgrace me.
† b. transf. An object of insulting or scornful gibes. Obs. rare.
1611. Bible, Jer. xxiv. 9. I will deliuer them … to be a reproch and a prouerbe, a taunt and a curse.
