Histoire(s) de goût(s)

Smells and especially colours have been advantageously providedwith linguistic descriptions, but taste has yet to be covered. Based on both diachronic (fromOld French to the Renaissance period) and synchronic analysis, our study shows the complexfunctioning of the noun goût (taste). Because of its multiple cognitive properties, it can beconceptualised not only as a “concrete,” but also as an “abstract” noun. It can be used to namea substance as well as an attribute. It operates as a “mass” noun and as a “countable” too. Lastbut not least: due to the physiological particularity of the sense of taste, the noun goût sharessome properties and co-occurs with the other sense nouns, especially nouns of touch and smell.