task
v.-
1 to strain or burden (v.) C1 Advanced Literary Formalto put a lot of pressure on someone or something by giving them too much to do.
to impose a heavy burden upon or to test the limits of a person's powers or resources.
ExampleThe long climb up the mountain really tasked his strength.
ExampleThe sudden influx of refugees tasked the small town's resources to their absolute limit, requiring immediate intervention from the central government.
UsageOften used in the passive voice or to describe straining abstract qualities like 'patience' or 'resources'.
Teacher's tipIn modern English, 'tax' is often used as a synonym in this specific sense.
From Middle English taske (“task, tax”), from Old Northern French tasque, (compare Old French variant tasche), from Medieval Latin tasca, alteration of taxa, from Latin taxō (“to censure; to charge”). Doublet of tax.