Definition: A moral or cautionary restriction placed upon certain actions by authorities (kings, priests, shamans, etc.) of a people, which if ignored will result in specific negative consequences.
Expanded Definition: What Is a Taboo?
Expanded Definition: What Is a Taboo?
Also Known As: moral restriction, prohibition, ban
Alternate Spellings: tabu
Examples: In virtually all human cultures there are taboos against specific sexual practices. These prohibitions derive mainly from religious beliefs and long-established traditional beliefs and social customs.
