Pal"ate (?), n. [L. palatum: cf.
F. palais, Of. also palat.] 1.
(Anat.) The roof of the mouth.
&fist; The fixed portion, or palate proper, supported by the
maxillary and palatine bones, is called the hard palate to
distinguish it from the membranous and muscular curtain which
separates the cavity of the mouth from the pharynx and is called the
soft palate, or velum.
2. Relish; taste; liking; -- a sense
originating in the mistaken notion that the palate is the organ of
taste.
Hard task! to hit the palate of such
guests.
Pope.
3. Fig.: Mental relish; intellectual
taste. T. Baker.
4. (Bot.) A projection in the throat of
such flowers as the snapdragon.
Pal"ate, v. t. To perceive by the
taste. [Obs.] Shak.
