gustation
UK: ɡʌˈsteɪʃ(ə)n | US: ɡəˈsteɪʃən
n. the act or faculty of tasting; the sense of taste.
gustation = gust<taste> + ation<noun suffix>
- gust (from Latin gustus, meaning "taste" or "flavor")
- ation (a suffix forming nouns indicating an action or process, from Latin -atio)
Etymology Origin:
The word gustation traces back to the Latin gustare ("to taste"), derived from gustus ("taste"). The suffix -ation was added in Late Latin to form gustatio, referring to the act of tasting. Over time, the term evolved in English to specifically denote the sensory function of taste, aligning with its Latin roots. The morphemes logically combine to reflect the process (-ation) of perceiving flavor (gust).
Gustation is one of the five primary senses in humans.
The study focuses on how aging affects gustation.
Loss of gustation can significantly reduce appetite.
Certain medications may impair gustation temporarily.
Scientists use specialized tests to measure gustation sensitivity.