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

"We have three clues now: the barrette, the piece of paper with 'taille 35,’ or size 35, on it, and the rhinestone heart," she reminded the other members of the Clue Crew. "The barrette doesn't exactly fit with Gregory being the thief."

From Literature

Nancy opened her dance bag and pulled out the "taille" clue.

From Literature

Gregory pointed to the "taille 35" clue, which Nancy was still holding.

From Literature

She wondered why Gregory really wanted to borrow the "taille 35" paper.

From Literature

Then she noticed that the words "taille 35" were written in the same fancy cursive style as the letters on the Cinderella shoe box.

From Literature