taster

Noun

taster (plural tasters)

1. An object in which, or by which, food or drink is tasted, such as a small cup or spoon.
   • A flight of tasters was served to the people who would vote on the next soda flavor to be released.
2. Someone who tastes something; especially, either (1) to check its quality (in food science, winemaking, etc.) or (2) as a security measure to prevent assassination of a protectee.
   • Big companies such as P&G or Kraft Heinz employ or contract with professional tasters who help with product development.
   • Being a cook for protectees also entails being a taster for them.

   Synonyms:

   degustator

3. A kind of zooid situated on the polyp-stem of certain Siphonophorae, resembling the feeding zooids, but destitute of mouths.
4. A sample of something bigger or grander intended for future use.
   • The Kraft Heinz exhibit at the trade fair was a taster of new snack products set to hit the market soon.
   • The Samsung exhibit at the trade fair was a taster of new consumer electronic products set to hit the market soon.
5. A person who is, by genetic makeup, able to taste phenylthiocarbamide.

   Antonyms:

   nontaster

6. (historical) A unit of volume equivalent to a Roman cyathus.