Adjacent Words

Taboo definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

TABOO', n. In the isles of the Pacific, a word denoting prohibition or religious interdict, which is of great force among the inhabitants.
TABOO', v.t. To forbid, or to forbid the use of; to interdict approach or use; as, to taboo the ground set apart as a sanctuary for criminals. Tabooed ground is held sacred and inviolable.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

adj
1: excluded from use or mention; "forbidden fruit"; "in our house dancing and playing cards were out"; "a taboo subject" [syn: forbidden, out, prohibited, proscribed, taboo, tabu, verboten]
2: forbidden to profane use especially in South Pacific islands [syn: taboo, tabu] n
1: a prejudice (especially in Polynesia and other South Pacific islands) that prohibits the use or mention of something because of its sacred nature [syn: taboo, tabu]
2: an inhibition or ban resulting from social custom or emotional aversion [syn: taboo, tabu] v
1: declare as sacred and forbidden

Merriam Webster's

I. adjective also tabu Etymology: Tongan tabu Date: 1777 1. forbidden to profane use or contact because of what are held to be dangerous supernatural powers 2. a. banned on grounds of morality or taste <the subject is taboo> b. banned as constituting a risk <the area beyond is taboo, still alive with explosives — Robert Leckie> II. noun also tabu (plural taboos; also tabus) Date: 1777 1. a prohibition against touching, saying, or doing something for fear of immediate harm from a supernatural force 2. a prohibition imposed by social custom or as a protective measure 3. belief in taboos III. transitive verb also tabu Date: 1777 1. to set apart as taboo especially by marking with a ritualistic symbol 2. to avoid or ban as taboo

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n., adj., & v. (also tabu) --n. (pl. taboos or tabus) 1 a system or the act of setting a person or thing apart as sacred or accursed. 2 a prohibition or restriction imposed by social custom. --adj. 1 avoided or prohibited, esp. by social custom (taboo words). 2 designated as sacred and prohibited. --v.tr. (taboos, tabooed or tabus, tabued) 1 put (a thing, practice, etc.) under taboo. 2 exclude or prohibit by authority or social influence. Etymology: Tongan tabu

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Taboo Ta*boo", a. [Written also tapu.] [Polynesian tabu, tapu, sacred, under restriction, a prohibition.] Set apart or sacred by religious custom among certain races of Polynesia, New Zealand, etc., and forbidden to certain persons or uses; hence, prohibited under severe penalties; interdicted; as, food, places, words, customs, etc., may be taboo.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Taboo Ta*boo", n. A total prohibition of intercourse with, use of, or approach to, a given person or thing under pain of death, -- an interdict of religious origin and authority, formerly common in the islands of Polynesia; interdiction. [Written also tabu.]

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Taboo Ta*boo", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Tabooed; p. pr. & vb. n. Tabooing.] To put under taboo; to forbid, or to forbid the use of; to interdict approach to, or use of; as, to taboo the ground set apart as a sanctuary for criminals. [Written also tabu.]

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(taboos) If there is a taboo on a subject or activity, it is a social custom to avoid doing that activity or talking about that subject, because people find them embarrassing or offensive. The topic of addiction remains something of a taboo... N-COUNT • Taboo is also an adjective. Cancer is a taboo subject and people are frightened or embarrassed to talk openly about it. ADJ

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

I. n. [Written also Tabu.] Interdict, prohibition. II. v. a. Interdict, forbid, prohibit, put under taboo, put under an interdict, forbid to be used or touched.

Moby Thesaurus

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