TAUNT
twit, taunt, taunting
(noun) aggravation by deriding or mocking or criticizing
tease, razz, rag, cod, tantalize, tantalise, bait, taunt, twit, rally, ride
(verb) harass with persistent criticism or carping; “The children teased the new teacher”; “Don’t ride me so hard over my failure”; “His fellow workers razzed him when he wore a jacket and tie”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology 1
Verb
taunt (third-person singular simple present taunts, present participle taunting, simple past and past participle taunted)
to make fun of (someone); to goad (a person) into responding, often in an aggressive manner.
Noun
taunt (plural taunts)
A scornful or mocking remark; a jeer or mockery
Etymology 2
Adjective
taunt (comparative more taunt, superlative most taunt)
(nautical) Very high or tall.
Source: Wiktionary
Taunt, a. Etym: [Cf. OF. tant so great, F. tant so much, L. tantus of
such size, so great, so much.] (Naut.)
Definition: Very high or tall; as, a ship with taunt masts. Totten.
Taunt, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Taunted; p. pr. & vb. n. Taunting.] Etym:
[Earlier, to tease; probably fr. OF. tanter to tempt, to try, for
tenter. See Tempt.]
Definition: To reproach with severe or insulting words; to revile; to
upbraid; to jeer at; to flout.
When I had at my pleasure taunted her. Shak.
Syn.
– To deride; ridicule; mock; jeer; flout; revile. See Deride.
Taunt, n.
Definition: Upbraiding language; bitter or sarcastic reproach; insulting
invective.
With scoffs, and scorns, and contemelious taunts. Shak.
With sacrilegious taunt and impious jest. Prior.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition