The DICT Development Group

  Task \Task\ (t[.a]sk), n. [OE. taske, OF. tasque, F. t[^a]che,
     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.
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              Ma task of servile toil.              --Milton.
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              Each morning sees some task begin,
              Each evening sees it close.           --Longfellow.
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     2. Business; employment; undertaking; labor.
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              His mental powers were equal to greater tasks.
                                                    --Atterbury.
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     To take to task. See under Take.
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     Syn: Work; labor; employment; business; toil; drudgery;
          study; lesson; stint.
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  Task \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.
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              There task thy maids, and exercise the loom.
                                                    --Dryden.
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     2. To oppress with severe or excessive burdens; to tax.
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     3. To charge; to tax, as with a fault.
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              Too impudent to task me with those errors. --Beau. &
                                                    Fl.
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