aftertaste
UK[ˈɑːftəteɪst]US[ˈæftərteɪst]
n
a taste, often an unpleasant one, that remains in the mouth after you have eaten or drunk something.
n
a feeling or impression that remains after an event or experience is over.
Morpheme Breakdown
after
taste
after
behind in place, later in time
taste
sense by which flavor is perceived
Etymology
the word 'aftertaste' is a transparent english compound formed from the native english word 'after' and the loanword 'taste'. 'after' derives from old english 'æfter', of germanic origin, related to concepts of sequence and position. 'taste' entered english from old french, tracing back to the latin verb 'taxitāre', a frequentative form of 'taxare' meaning 'to touch sharply, judge'. the compound logically combines these elements to denote a taste that follows the initial act of tasting. over time, its meaning expanded metaphorically to describe a lingering impression or feeling following any event, demonstrating a common pattern where sensory vocabulary acquires abstract psychological applications.
Analysis
Structure: after + taste
after (old english, preposition/adverb meaning 'behind in place, later in time'); taste (old french, from latin taxitāre 'to handle, judge, taste', the noun meaning 'sense by which flavor is perceived').
Examples
the strong coffee left a bitter aftertaste.
the argument was over, but a sour aftertaste of resentment remained.
the film's poignant ending left a melancholic aftertaste long after the credits rolled.