Tax n.
 1. A charge, especially a pecuniary burden which is imposed by authority. Specifically: --
 (a) A charge or burden laid upon persons or property for the support of a government.
    A farmer of taxes is, of all creditors, proverbially the most rapacious.   --Macaulay.
 (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.
 (c) A sum imposed or levied upon the members of a society to defray its expenses.
 2. A task exacted from one who is under control; a contribution or service, the rendering of which is imposed upon a subject.
 3. A disagreeable or burdensome duty or charge; as, a heavy tax on time or health.
 4. Charge; censure. [Obs.]
 5. A lesson to be learned; a task. [Obs.]
 Tax cart, a spring cart subject to a low tax. [Eng.]
 Syn: -- Impost; tribute; contribution; duty; toll; rate; assessment; exaction; custom; demand.