A quick search of the novel at JaneInfo turns up these icidents of the word "taste" in the chapters for this read. I'm trying to work out what, exactly, JA meant by the word. Does anyone have any bright ideas, based on these quotes? I asked on L&T about a week ago, and DeeMac, the ever-resourceful, came up with some old dictionary defintions which don't seem to connect at all.I've linked the conversation below.

And besides all this, I am afraid, mamma, he has no real taste.

I could not be happy with a man whose taste did not in every point coincide with my own.

"Nay, mamma, if he is not to be animated by Cowper! -- but we must allow for difference of taste.

"WHAT a pity it is, Elinor," said Marianne, "that Edward should have no taste for drawing."

"No taste for drawing!" replied Elinor, "why should you think so?

He does not draw himself, indeed, but he has great pleasure in seeing the performances of other people; and I assure you he is by no means deficient in natural taste, though he has not had opportunities of improving it.

He distrusts his own judgment in such matters so much, that he is always unwilling to give his opinion on any picture; but he has an innate propriety and simplicity of taste, which, in general, direct him perfectly right."

Marianne was afraid of offending, and said no more on the subject; but the kind of approbation which Elinor described as excited in him by the drawings of other people was very far from that rapturous delight, which, in her opinion, could alone be called taste.

"I hope, Marianne," continued Elinor, "you do not consider him as deficient in general taste.

I have seen a great deal of him, have studied his sentiments and heard his opinion on subjects of literature and taste; and, upon the whole, I venture to pronounce that his mind is well informed, enjoyment of books exceedingly great, his imagination lively, his observation just and correct, and his taste delicate and pure.

I shall not lose you so soon, and Edward will have greater opportunity of improving that natural taste for your favorite pursuit which must be so indispensably necessary to your future felicity.

It was necessary to the happiness of both; for however dissimilar in temper and outward behaviour, they strongly resembled each other in that total want of talent and taste which confined their employments, unconnected with such as society produced, within a very narrow compass.

In showing kindness to his cousins, therefore, he had the real satisfaction of a good heart; and in settling a family of females only in his cottage, he had all the satisfaction of a sportsman; for a sportsman, though he esteems only those of his sex who are sportsmen likewise, is not often desirous of encouraging their taste by admitting them to a residence within his own manor.