taboo

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The subject is taboo, and serves the purpose of every taboo, which is ...

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Definitions (14)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (6)

  1. noun A ban or an inhibition resulting from social custom or emotional aversion.
  2. noun A prohibition, especially in Polynesia and other South Pacific islands, excluding something from use, approach, or mention because of its sacred and inviolable nature.
  3. noun An object, a word, or an act protected by such a prohibition.
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Toggle GNU Webster definitions GNU Webster's 1913 (3)

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Examples (50)

  • Now imagine something less taboo, and you'll know what it was like for Daniel Radcliffe to mack on Bonnie Wright, who plays Harry Potter's future wife Ginny Weasley in the sixth installment of the magical series. —  MuggleNet.com
  • In today's Western culture, physical contact with strangers is taboo, which is exactly why Richard Renaldi embarked on his 'Touching Strangers' photo project. —  TREND HUNTER - The Latest Trends
  • Every time she violates a taboo, a human life is required. —  VeryCD - 电驴资源订阅
  • This taboo was believed by Hezbullah in 2006 and was believed by Hamas for the last few years. —  Jewlicious
  • I don't really have anything againt incest type stories, but if I'm going to watch something as extreme as a taboo incest, they could at least go for real blood-related incest since not-blood-related incest is too convenient and the taboo is not that strong. biankita: @ghostlightning @usagijen now i'm looking forward to that. —  Anime Nano!
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Roget's II Roget's II: The New Thesaurus

Allen's Allen's Synonyms and Antonyms

Used in the same context Used in the Same Context

norm ·  mores ·  ritual ·  prohibition ·  conventions ·  ordinance ·  commandment ·  tabu ·  etiquette ·  observance ·  upbringing ·  behaviors

Used in the same contextWord Family

taboo:   taboos
Roget's II: The New Thesaurus, Third Edition by the Editors of the American Heritage® Dictionary. Copyright © 2003, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
 

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/tæˈbu/
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