tapu

Examples

• All

• In Maori culture, certain sites are tapu and must not be disturbed.

• The ceremony took place on tapu ground, reserved only for elders and priests.

• The ancient forest was considered tapu and no one dared to enter it.

• The ancient forest is considered tapu by the local tribes.

• The ancient forest was considered tapu, so no one was allowed to enter its sacred boundaries.

• In Maori culture, specific sites are tapu and should not be disturbed by anyone.

• The ceremony was held on tapu ground, which is reserved exclusively for religious rituals.

Synonyms

T

taboo

vstapu

38 5.2

Not allowed by a social or cultural rule

is treated as a protected custom preventing use or disturbance

S

sacrosanct

vstapu

• Formal

13 9.1

Too important to change or question

is specifically under custom protection from use or touch

S

sacred

vstapu

8 4.6

Kept only for one use or person

is also protected by custom from use, touch, or disturbance

U

untouchable

vstapu

1 6.4

Too delicate for people to touch

is wider, also blocking use or disturbance by custom

T

tabu

vstapu

• UK

1 9.9

Forbidden because of religious or social rules

is treated as protected by custom against use, touch, or disturbance

How Sacred

sacrosanct

• Formal

13 9.1

tapu

• UK

1 9.9

sacred

306 4.6

Surface Forms

Etymology