Tax \Tax\, n. [F. taxe, fr. taxer to tax, L. taxare to touch,
   sharply, to feel, handle, to censure, value, estimate, fr.
   tangere, tactum, to touch. See Tangent, and cf. Task,
   Taste.]
   1. A charge, especially a pecuniary burden which is imposed
      by authority. Specifically: 
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      (a) A charge or burden laid upon persons or property for
          the support of a government.
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                A farmer of taxes is, of all creditors,
                proverbially the most rapacious.  --Macaulay.
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      (b) Especially, the sum laid upon specific things, as upon
          polls, lands, houses, income, etc.; as, a land tax; a
          window tax; a tax on carriages, and the like.

   Note: Taxes are annual or perpetual, direct or
         indirect, etc.
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      (c) A sum imposed or levied upon the members of a society
          to defray its expenses.
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   2. A task exacted from one who is under control; a
      contribution or service, the rendering of which is imposed
      upon a subject.
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   3. A disagreeable or burdensome duty or charge; as, a heavy
      tax on time or health.
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   4. Charge; censure. [Obs.] --Clarendon.
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   5. A lesson to be learned; a task. [Obs.] --Johnson.
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   Tax cart, a spring cart subject to a low tax. [Eng.]
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   Syn: Impost; tribute; contribution; duty; toll; rate;
        assessment; exaction; custom; demand.
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