Taboo Definition
taboo
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English
Wikipedia has an article on: TabooAlternative forms
Etymology
Tongan tapu (“prohibited”). The word entered English around 1777.
Pronunciation
- IPA: /təˈbuː/
Noun
taboo (plural taboos)
- 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.
- 1974, Lawrence Durrell, Monsieur, Faber & Faber 1992, p. 213:
- The sharp differentiation of the sexes in our culture was shaped most probably by monogamy and monosexuality and their tabus.
- 1922, James Frazer, The Golden Bough:
- (in Polynesia) Something which may not be used, approached or mentioned because it is sacred.
Adjective
taboo (comparative more taboo, superlative most taboo)
- Excluded or forbidden from use, approach or mention.
- Incest is a taboo subject in most soap operas.
Translations
excluded or forbidden from use, approach or mentionVerb
taboo (third-person singular simple present taboos, present participle tabooing, simple past and past participle tabooed)
Translations
mark as taboo
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A taboo is a vehement prohibition of an action based on the belief that such behavior is either too sacred or too accursed for ordinary individuals to undertake, under threat of supernatural punishment. Such prohibitions are present in virtually all societies. The word has been somewhat expanded in the social sciences to include strong prohibitions relating to any area of human activity or custom that is sacred or forbidden based on moral judgment and religious beliefs. "Breaking a taboo" is usually considered objectionable by society in general, not merely a subset of a culture.
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