noa
/ˈnəʊə
/adjective NZ
(In Maori society) not subject to religious or superstitious restriction; allowed: the smoke consumed is classified as food and is noa...
- Ancient Maori who ate their adversaries as an act of defilement or humiliation transformed the act into noa.
- The room, which was frequented by dignitaries and council staff, was noa.
- This is not to say that one category (e.g. man) 'is' tapu and that the other (e.g. woman) 'is' noa.
Origin
Mid 19th century: Maori.