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Tabu   Listen
Tabu

noun
1.
A prejudice (especially in Polynesia and other South Pacific islands) that prohibits the use or mention of something because of its sacred nature.  Synonym: taboo.
2.
An inhibition or ban resulting from social custom or emotional aversion.  Synonym: taboo.






WordNet 3.0 © 2010 Princeton University








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"Tabu" Quotes from Famous Books



... outline with little difficulty, but in trivial matters of social behavior and human relations he's frequently uncertain, as likely as not to pull a howling bloomer. Seems unusually baffled and exasperated by some of the social mores he runs into, such as the many tabu subjects for conversation, or taking your clothes off whenever or wherever you feel inclined to. Poor Helen. She tries to explain and he keeps doggedly after her with ruthless logic, obviously trying hard to understand, ...
— The Short Life • Francis Donovan

... slender figures. The universal dress is a long cloth twisted round the waist, the fringed ends of which hang below the knee. The people are said to be great thieves, and the tribes are always at war with each other, but they are not very courageous or bloodthirsty. The custom of "tabu," called here "pomali," is very general, fruit trees, houses, crop, and property of all kinds being protected from depredation by this ceremony, the reverence for which is very great. A palm branch stuck across an open ...
— The Malay Archipelago - Volume II. (of II.) • Alfred Russel Wallace

... Tabu. Tarde. Taylor, Henry Osborn. Teleology in morals. Tender emotion. Tennyson. Theology. Theory, inadequacy of in morals. Thilly. Thinking, common sense vs. scientific; influence of habit on; analyzes experience; begins with a problem. See also Reflection, and Scientific method. Thompson, ...
— Human Traits and their Social Significance • Irwin Edman

... the beginning about Phoebe possibly being like the Olympus Station. I've often wondered why that particular location has been so difficult to operate. Sure, I know the accepted explanation, but I think we should learn why it works and how to break a tabu. If we don't, we might be in ...
— The Lani People • J. F. Bone

... us," Drake burst out hastily. "We're Norhala's little playthings. We're tabu. Take it from me, Ruth, I'd bet my head there isn't one of these Things, great or small, and no matter how many, that doesn't by this time know all ...
— The Metal Monster • A. Merritt



Words linked to "Tabu" :   prejudice, taboo, sacred, impermissible, Polynesia, inhibition, bias, preconception



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