Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • Same as taboo.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun Alternative form of taboo.

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

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Examples

  • As every one of our native crew was very anxious to join in the sport, the captain had asked the king's mother to 'tapu' the ship till daylight, and shortly afterwards we were told by a messenger from the king that this had been done, and that no native would attempt to board the ship till we had returned.

    Rídan The Devil And Other Stories 1899 Louis Becke 1884

  • Ngati said, every time he saw Don gazing at the mountain; but it was not till long after that he comprehended the meaning of the chiefs words, that the place was "tapu," or sacred, and that it would act as a refuge for them, could they reach it, as the ordinary Maoris would not dare to follow them there.

    The Adventures of Don Lavington Nolens Volens George Manville Fenn 1870

  • His relationships with the people are defined by this fact and by the strict "tapu" and protocols that surround those of high status.

    Matangi Tonga Online - 2009

  • The one I find hardest to explain is "mana", but I also had a bunch of trouble with "tapu" in the Guardian glossary - ended up asking one of my cultural consultants if she could help me out.

    Top Six Declarations of Familial Love karenhealey 2010

  • The Maori warrior/tapu/spririts and gods - lots there worth mining.

    Killer Angels Editorial Anonymous 2010

  • Means I am currently trying to unpack What so worthy and requiring of understanding in Sustainability (The balance between human needs and those of the natural environment), and Kaitiakitanga (Managing the modern day environment based on a Maori world view and notions of guardianship, all life is connected, manu, tapu and mauri).

    minsky's attempt to explain hard problem solving Bill Kerr 2008

  • One aspect of fa'asamoa is the ancient concept of tapu.

    Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary 2007

  • At the top of the islanders 'worldly hierarchy were local chiefs, considered to be descended from the gods, and thus very highly tapu.

    The Allure of the Taboo 2007

  • Certain professions that imitated functions of the gods were also seen as tapu and their practices, too, were swathed in intricate rituals.

    The Allure of the Taboo 2007

  • With the decline of awareness of tapu, the traditional cultural ethics of resource management were being lost as well.

    Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary 2007

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