tabu
/tə'bu:/ Cách viết khác : (tabu) /tə'bu:/
Definition
Adjective:
- Forbidden, prohibited: Describes something that is banned or not allowed, often due to social, cultural, or religious rules.
- Sacred and untouchable: Refers to something set apart as holy or consecrated, making it forbidden for common use or mention.
Noun:
- A social or cultural prohibition: A strong ban or inhibition against a specific action, word, or object, enforced by social custom or emotional aversion.
- A sacred prohibition: Specifically in Polynesian and other South Pacific cultures, a ban on using or mentioning something because it is considered sacred.
Examples of Usage
Adjective: In many cultures, certain topics are considered tabu and are not discussed openly. The burial ground was a tabu place, forbidden to all but the priests.
Noun: Eating pork is a tabu in some religions. The anthropologist studied the tabu surrounding the names of deceased chiefs.
Advanced Usage
"to place/put a tabu on something": to officially forbid something. The council placed a tabu on fishing in the sacred lagoon.
"to break/violate a tabu": to act against a prohibition. Speaking the name of the god was to break a powerful tabu.
Variants and Related Words
- Taboo: The more common modern spelling of "tabu".
- Tabooed (adj.): Describes something that has been made forbidden.
Synonyms
- Forbidden: Not allowed; banned.
- Prohibited: Formally forbidden by law, rule, or authority.
- Interdicted: Authoritatively prohibited.
- Off-limits: Not to be entered or used.
Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)
(Note: "Tabu" is not commonly used to form phrasal verbs.)
Related Idioms
- A social taboo: A prohibition so strong it is ingrained in a society's customs.
- Taboo subject/topic: A matter that is considered inappropriate to talk about.
Adjective
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excluded from use or mention
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forbidden fruit
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in our house dancing and playing cards were out
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a taboo subject
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forbidden to profane use especially in South Pacific islands
Noun
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an inhibition or ban resulting from social custom or emotional aversion
-
a prejudice (especially in Polynesia and other South Pacific islands) that prohibits the use or mention of something because of its sacred nature
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