different between taboo vs interdict

English

Alternative forms

• tabu, tapu

Etymology

Borrowing from Tongan tapu (“prohibited, sacred”), from Proto-Polynesian *tapu, from Proto-Oceanic *tabu, from Proto-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian *tambu. Doublet of kapu. The word entered English around 1777.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /t??bu?/, /tæ?bu?/

Noun

taboo (countable and uncountable, plural taboos)

1. An inhibition or ban that results from social custom or emotional aversion.
   • 1974, Lawrence Durrell, Monsieur, Faber & Faber 1992, p. 213:

     The sharp differentiation of the sexes in our culture was shaped most probably by monogamy and monosexuality and their tabus.

2. (in Polynesia) Something which may not be used, approached or mentioned because it is sacred.

Translations

Adjective

taboo (comparative more taboo, superlative most taboo)

1. Excluded or forbidden from use, approach or mention.

   Incest is a taboo subject in most soap operas.

2. Culturally forbidden.

Translations

Verb

taboo (third-person singular simple present taboos, present participle tabooing, simple past and past participle tabooed)

1. To mark as taboo.
2. To ban.
3. To avoid.

Translations

Anagrams

• aboot

English

Etymology

From Middle English entrediten, from Old French entredire (“forbid”), from Latin interd?c? (“prohibit, forbid”), from inter- (“between”) + d?c? (“say”), from Proto-Indo-European *dey?-.

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): (noun) /??nt?d?kt/, (verb) /?nt??d?kt/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): (noun) /??nt?d?kt/, (verb) /?nt??d?kt/
• Hyphenation: in?ter?dict

Noun

interdict (plural interdicts)

1. A papal decree prohibiting the administration of the sacraments from a political entity under the power of a single person (e.g., a king or an oligarchy with similar powers). Extreme unction/Anointing of the Sick is excepted.
2. (Scotland, law) An injunction.

Translations

Verb

interdict (third-person singular simple present interdicts, present participle interdicting, simple past and past participle interdicted)

1. (transitive, Roman Catholicism) To exclude (someone or somewhere) from participation in church services; to place under a religious interdict. [from 13th c.]
   • 1726, John Ayliffe, Parergon juris canonici Anglicani

     An archbishop [may not only] excommunicate and interdict his suffragans, but his Vicar-General may also do the same.

2. (transitive) To forbid (an action or thing) by formal or legal sanction. [from 16th c.]
3. (transitive) To forbid (someone) from doing something. [from 16th c.]
4. (transitive, US, military) To impede (an enemy); to interrupt or destroy (enemy communications, supply lines etc). [from 20th c.]
   • 1988, James McPherson, Battle Cry of Freedom, Oxford 2004, p. 756:

     Grant did not cease his efforts to interdict Lee's supply lines and break through the defenses.

Related terms

• interdiction
• interdictive
• interdictory
• interdictively
• interdictor

Translations