taille

[ teyl; French tah-yuh ]

noun

, plural tailles [teylz, tah, -y, uh].

1. French History. a tax that was levied by a king or seigneur on his subjects or on lands held under him and that became solely a royal tax in the 15th century from which the lords and later the clergy were exempt.
2. (in dressmaking) the waist or bodice of a garment.
3. Obsolete. the shape of one's body from shoulders to waist; figure; build.

taille

/ taɪ; tɑj /

noun

1. (in France before 1789) a tax levied by a king or overlord on his subjects

Word History and Origins

Origin of taille¹

1545–55; < French: literally, a cutting; tail ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of taille¹

C17: from French, from Old French taillier to shape; see tailor

Example Sentences

Her descendants have been exempted from the taille (poll tax)—a mean and shameful recompense!

From Project Gutenberg

I will have a garment reach to my taille; Then am I a minion, for I wear the new guise.

From Project Gutenberg

He said: "Elle n'est pas vraiment jolie, mais elle a une jolie taille, de beaux yeux, et des perles."

From Project Gutenberg

At their own request, the King imposed on them a new taille of three thousand livres.

From Project Gutenberg

He substituted for personal service on the roads a yearly rate, proportional in amount to the taille.

From Project Gutenberg