Task \Task\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Tasked; p. pr. & vb. n. Tasking.]

1. To impose a task upon; to assign a definite amount of business, labor, or duty to.

There task thy maids, and exercise the loom. --Dryden.

2. To oppress with severe or excessive burdens; to tax.

3. To charge; to tax; as with a fault.

Too impudent to task me with those errors. --Beau. & Fl.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Task \Task\, n. [OE. taske, OF. tasque, F. t[^a]che, for tasche, LL. tasca, taxa, fr. L. taxare to rate, appraise, estimate. See Tax, n. & v.]

1. Labor or study imposed by another, often in a definite quantity or amount.

Ma task of servile toil. --Milton.

Each morning sees some task begin, Each evening sees it close. --Longfellow.

2. Business; employment; undertaking; labor.

His mental powers were equal to greater tasks. --Atterbury.

To take to task. See under Take.

Syn: Work; labor; employment; business; toil; drudgery; study; lesson; stint.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)