tabu
adj 1: forbidden to profane use especially in South Pacific
islands [syn: taboo, tabu]
2: excluded from use or mention; "forbidden fruit"; "in our
house dancing and playing cards were out"; "a taboo subject"
[syn: forbidden, out(p), prohibited, proscribed,
taboo, tabu, verboten]
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]
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Taboo \Ta*boo"\, a. [Written also tabu and 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 1913 Suppl.]
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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.]
[1913 Webster]
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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.]
[1913 Webster]
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