Ta*boo" (?), n. A total prohibition of
intercourse with, use of, or approach to, a given person or thing under
pain of death, -- an interdict of religious origin and authority, formerly
common in the islands of Polynesia; interdiction. [Written also
tabu.]
Ta*boo", v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Tabooed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Tabooing.] To put under taboo; to forbid, or to forbid the use
of; to interdict approach to, or use of; as, to taboo the ground set
apart as a sanctuary for criminals. [Written also tabu.]
Ta*boo" (?), a. [Written also
tapu.] [Polynesian tabu, tapu, sacred, under
restriction, a prohibition.] Set apart or sacred by religious
custom among certain races of Polynesia, New Zealand, etc., and
forbidden to certain persons or uses; hence, prohibited under severe
penalties; interdicted; as, food, places, words, customs, etc., may be
taboo.
Ta*boo" (?), n. A total prohibition of
intercourse with, use of, or approach to, a given person or thing under
pain of death, -- an interdict of religious origin and authority, formerly
common in the islands of Polynesia; interdiction. [Written also
tabu.]
Ta*boo", v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Tabooed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Tabooing.] To put under taboo; to forbid, or to forbid the use
of; to interdict approach to, or use of; as, to taboo the ground set
apart as a sanctuary for criminals. [Written also tabu.]
Ta*boo" (?), a. [Written also
tapu.] [Polynesian tabu, tapu, sacred, under
restriction, a prohibition.] Set apart or sacred by religious
custom among certain races of Polynesia, New Zealand, etc., and
forbidden to certain persons or uses; hence, prohibited under severe
penalties; interdicted; as, food, places, words, customs, etc., may be
taboo.
