Tabu

5 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  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]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  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]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  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.]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Tabu \Ta*bu"\, n. & v.
     See {Taboo}.
     [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  tabu
       adj 1: forbidden to profane use especially in South Pacific islands
              [syn: {taboo}]
       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}, {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}]
       2: an inhibition or ban resulting from social custom or
          emotional aversion [syn: {taboo}]