taboo

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[edit] English

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[edit] Etymology

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

[edit] Alternative spellings

[edit] Noun

Singular
taboo

Plural
taboos

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.
  2. (in Polynesia) Something which may not be used, approached or mentioned because it is sacred.

[edit] Translations

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[edit] Adjective

taboo (comparative more taboo, superlative most taboo)

Positive
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.

[edit] Translations

[edit] Verb

Infinitive
to taboo

Third person singular
taboos

Simple past
tabooed

Past participle
tabooed

Present participle
tabooing

to 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.

[edit] Translations

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