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Taboo Definition

taboo

Contents

English

Wikipedia has an article on: Taboo

Alternative forms

Etymology

Tongan tapu (“prohibited”). The word entered English around 1777.

Pronunciation

Noun

taboo (plural taboos)

  1. An inhibition or ban that results from social custom or emotional aversion.
    • 1922, James Frazer, The Golden Bough:
      So among the Alfoors of the island of Buru it is taboo to mention the names of parents and parents-in-law, or even to speak of common objects by words which resemble these names in sound.
    • 1974, Lawrence Durrell, Monsieur, Faber & Faber 1992, p. 213:
      The sharp differentiation of the sexes in our culture was shaped most probably by monogamy and monosexuality and their tabus.
  2. (in Polynesia) Something which may not be used, approached or mentioned because it is sacred.

Adjective

taboo (comparative more taboo, superlative most taboo)

  1. Excluded or forbidden from use, approach or mention.
    Incest is a taboo subject in most soap operas.

Translations

excluded or forbidden from use, approach or mention
  • German: tabu (de)
  • Indonesian: tabu (id)
  • Rapa Nui: tapu
  • Sundanese: pamali (su)
  • Swahili: tambiko (sw)
  • Tongan: please add this translation if you can

Verb

taboo (third-person singular simple present taboos, present participle tabooing, simple past and past participle tabooed)

  1. To mark as taboo.
  2. To ban.
  3. To avoid.

Translations

mark as taboo
  • German: tabuisieren (de)
  • Swahili: tambiko (sw)
  • Tongan: please add this translation if you can
ban
  • German: tabuisieren (de)
  • Swahili: tambiko (sw)
  • Tongan: please add this translation if you can
avoid
  • German: tabuisieren (de)
  • Swahili: tambiko (sw)
  • Tongan: please add this translation if you can

Anagrams

 

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