/təˈbuː/, /tæˈbuː/, /ˈʈabu/
OriginBorrowed from Tongan tapu (“prohibited, sacred”), from Proto-Polynesian *tapu, from Proto-Oceanic *tabu, from Proto-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian *tambu. Doublet of kapu. First attested in c. 1777.
The p in the Tongan source was misheard as b.
- countable, uncountableAn inhibition or ban that results from social custom or emotional aversion.
“It is true indeed that a taboo - in order to be a proper taboo - must not rest in the general mind on argument or reason.”
“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.”
“The sharp differentiation of the sexes in our culture was shaped most probably by monogamy and monosexuality and their tabus.”
- countable, uncountableSomething which may not be used, approached or mentioned because it is sacred.
- Excluded or forbidden from use, approach or mention.
“Incest is a taboo subject in most soap operas.”
“Sweets and fats are strictly taboo in my home.”
- Culturally forbidden.
- To mark as taboo.
- To ban.
- To avoid.
Formstaboos(plural) · tabu(alternative) · tapu(alternative) · more taboo(comparative) · most taboo(superlative) · taboos(present, singular, third-person) · tabooing(participle, present) · tabooed(participle, past) · tabooed(past)