pălātum, i, n., and (rarely) pălātus, i, m. [perh. from root pa-of pasco], the palate.
I Lit.: suave domini, Varr. R. R. 3, 3, 7: nec enim sequitur, ut, cui cor sapiat, ei non sapiat palatus, Cic. Fin. 2, 8, 24: quae (voluptas) palato percipiatur, id. ib. 2, 10, 29: boum dare membra palato, Ov. M. 15, 141: subtile palatum, Hor. S. 2, 8, 38: nigra subest udo tantum cui lingua palato, Verg. G. 3, 388; Ov. Am. 2, 6, 47; cf.: cum balba feris annoso verba palato, Hor. S. 2, 3, 274: torpente palato, Juv. 10, 203.—In plur.: palata docta et erudita, Col. 8, 16, 4.—
B Trop., the palate , as the organ of taste and judgment: (Epicurus) dum palato quid sit optimum judicat, Cic. N. D. 2, 18, 49: orationis condimentum, quod sentitur latente judicio velut palato, Quint. 6, 3, 19.—*
II Transf. (of the form of the palate), a vault : caeli, Enn. ap. Cic. N. D. 2, 18, 38 ( Enn. p. 177, n. 19 Vahl.).