Main Entry:

¹ta·boo

Variant(s):

also ta·bu \tə-ˈbü, ta-\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

Tongan tabu

Date:

1777

1: forbidden to profane use or contact because of what are held to be dangerous supernatural powers2 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>