taboo

== English == === Alternative forms === tabu, tapu === Etymology === Borrowed 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. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /təˈbuː/, /tæˈbuː/ (Indic) IPA(key): /ˈʈæ.bu/, /ʈəˈbu/ Rhymes: -uː === Noun === taboo (countable and uncountable, plural taboos) An inhibition or ban that results from social custom or emotional aversion. (in Polynesia) Something which may not be used, approached or mentioned because it is sacred. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Adjective === taboo (comparative more taboo, superlative most taboo) Excluded or forbidden from use, approach or mention. Culturally forbidden. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Verb === taboo (third-person singular simple present taboos, present participle tabooing, simple past and past participle tabooed) To mark as taboo. Synonym: tabooize To ban. To avoid. ==== Translations ==== === Anagrams === aboot, Tooba