Taboo



GRE

解释

GRE 红宝书

• adj.讳忌的; n.禁忌
• ［英］ adj.讳忌的 ( banned on grounds of morality) ; n.禁忌 ( a prohibition imposed by social custom)
• ［例］ a taboo subject ( 忌讳的话题) / violate the taboo ( 违犯禁忌)

Webster Collegiate

I. adjective also tabu

• Etymology: Tongan tabu
• Date: 1777
• 1. forbidden to profane use or contact because of what are held to be dangerous supernatural powers
• 2.
  • a. banned on grounds of morality or taste <the subject is taboo>
  • b. banned as constituting a risk <the area beyond is taboo, still alive with explosives — Robert Leckie>

II. noun also tabu (plural taboos; also tabus)

• Date: 1777
• 1. a prohibition against touching, saying, or doing something for fear of immediate harm from a supernatural force
• 2. a prohibition imposed by social custom or as a protective measure
• 3. belief in taboos

III. transitive verb also tabu

• Date: 1777
• 1. to set apart as taboo especially by marking with a ritualistic symbol
• 2. to avoid or ban as taboo

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