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.]
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI