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Taboo vs Tab - What's the difference?

taboo | tab |

As nouns the difference between taboo and tab

is that taboo is an inhibition or ban that results from social custom or emotional aversion while tab is a key on computer keyboards.

As an adjective taboo

is excluded or forbidden from use, approach or mention.

As a verb taboo

is to mark as taboo.

taboo

English

(wikipedia taboo)

Alternative forms

* tabu

Noun

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

    • Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Excluded or forbidden from use, approach or mention.
    • Incest is a taboo subject in most soap operas.
  • Culturally forbidden.

    • Verb

    (en verb)
  • To mark as taboo.
  • To ban.
  • To avoid.

    • Anagrams

    *

    tab

    English

    Etymology 1

    First attested 1607, of uncertain origin.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A small flap or strip of material attached to something, for holding, manipulation, identification, etc.
  • * 1993 , Irvine Welsh: Trainspotting , p 333:
    • He pulls off his belt, cursing as the studs catch in the tabs of his jeans.
  • (by extension, graphical user interface) A navigational widget for switching between sets of controls or documents.
  • (label) A tablet, especially one containing illicit drugs.
  • A fast march or run with full kit.

    • Verb

  • Mark with a tab.
  • (computing) To use the Tab key on a computer or typewriter to navigate the screen or page.
  • * 2010 , Chris Anderson, Pro Business Applications with Silverlight 4 (page 210)
    • You can prevent a control from getting the focus when the user is tabbing between controls by settings its IsTabStop property to False.
  • Short for tabulate.
    • Derived terms
    * keep tabs on * tabbed

    Etymology 2

    Apocopation (shortening) of tabulation.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (informal) A restaurant bill.
  • (slang) Credit account, e.g., in a shop or bar.
    • Put this round on my tab , will you, barman.
  • Short for tabulator.
  • (computing) A space character ((tab)) that extends to the next aligned column, traditionally used for tabulation.
    • Derived terms
    * pick up the tab

    Etymology 3

    Likely to have been formed by clipping the Geordie pronunciation of the word or alternatively from the brand name Ogden's Tabs .

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (Geordie and Mackem) cigarette.
    • Giv'is a tab man!

    References

    *

    Etymology 4

    Shortening of tablature.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A form of musical notation indicating fingering rather than the pitch of notes, commonly used for stringed instruments.

    • Etymology 5

    Derived from the Latin Cantabrigia (often shortened to Cantab.).

    Noun

  • (rfv-sense)(slang) A student of Cambridge University.

    • Etymology 6

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (label) A tabloid newspaper.
  • * 1999 , George H. Douglas, The Golden Age of the Newspaper, p. 229:
  • * 2010 , Robert Lusetich, Unplayable: An Inside Account of Tiger's Most Tumultuous Season:

    • Anagrams

    * * * * English clippings ----