tax

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   Money that people and businesses must pay to the government to fund public services.

   A large part of his salary goes on income tax.

2. 2
   verb

   To make people or businesses pay a tax.

   The government taxes alcohol and tobacco heavily.

3. 3
   verb

   To make heavy demands on someone's strength, time, or patience.

   Looking after three young children all day really taxes my energy.

Common collocations

• tax inspector Adjective + noun

From Middle English taxe, from Middle French taxe, from Medieval Latin taxa, from Latin taxō (“to appraise, value, estimate; (medieval) to tax”). Doublet of task. Displaced native Old English gafol, which was also the word for “tribute” and “rent”.

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