Glossary of Terms: Becoming Minnesotan

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Definition
taboo

Adjective:  Determined by society as improper or unacceptable.

Noun:  An object or action that is determined by society as improper or unacceptable.

Tagalog

Noun: A language spoken in the Philippines, particularly in Manila and the surrounding area.

taint

Verb:  To contaminate or corrupt (something) with something foreign, either physically or morally.  (taints, tainting, tainted)

talking in tongues

Noun:  The fluid vocalizing of speech-like syllables, often as part of religious practice. Though some consider these utterances to be meaningless, those that use them consider them to be part of a holy language.

tamale

Noun: Mexican dish of cornmeal dough shell filled with various ingredients (e.g. chopped beef, pork, sweet filling) then steamed in corn husks.

tangible

Adjective:  Real or concrete.

taqueria

Noun: A restaurant specializing in tacos and other Mexican food.

technique

Noun:  A way of doing something, especially in a systematic way.

tejano

Noun: A Texan of Mexican descent.

temper

Verb:  To moderate or control.  (tempers, tempering, tempered)

temple

Noun:  A building for religious worship.

temptation

Noun:  Something attractive or tempting.

tendency

Noun:  A likelihood of behaving in a particular way or going in a particular direction.

tender

Adjective:  Sensitive; sweet; gentle; young.

tense

Adjective: Stressed; strained; nervous.

tension

Noun:  The psychological state of being tense, that is, showing signs of stress or strain.

Thai

Adjective:  Of or having to do with Thailand, its people or language.

Noun:  1. A person from Thailand, or of Thai background.  2. The langauge spoken in Thailand.

the West

Noun:  Short for the Western world, that is, the noncommunist countries of Europe, the Americas and Australia.

thermal

Noun:  A garment, often an undergarment, whose purpose is to provide efficient insulation so as to keep the body warm.

thrive

Verb:  To increase in wealth or success; to prosper, be profitable; to flourish.  (thrives, thriving, throve/thrived)

tolerance

Noun:   The ability or practice of tolerating; an acceptance or patience with the beliefs, opinions or practices of others; a lack of bigotry.

tolerant

Adjective:  Tending to permit, allow, understand, or accept something.

torture

Verb:  To intentionally inflict pain or suffering on someone.  (tortures, torturing, tortured)

trade

Noun: The skilled practice of a practical occupation.

trade school

Noun:  A school that teaches specific job skills, rather than general academic subjects.

tradition

Noun:  A custom that is practiced within a group.

traditional

Adjective:  Relating to a part of culture that is passed from person to person or generation to generation.

tragedy

Noun:  A disastrous event, especially one involving great loss of life or injury.

traitor

Noun:  One who violates his allegiance and betrays his/her country, often to an enemy; one who takes arms and levies war against his country or one who aids an enemy in conquering his country.

transaction

Noun: A business deal, or transfer of goods and services.

transferable

Adjective:  Able to be moved to or used at another place.

transference

Noun:  The act of conveying from one place to another; the act of transferring or the fact of being transferred.

transformation

Noun:  A marked change in appearance or character.

transition

Noun:  A process of change from one form to another.

translator

Noun:  One who changes written text from one language to another.

trauma

Noun: An emotional wound leading to psychological injury.

traumatic

Adjective:  Of, caused by, or causing serious physical or emotional injury or distress.

treatment

Noun:  Medical care for an illness or injury.

trek

Noun:  A slow or difficult journey.

tremendous

Adjective:  Awe-inspiring; terrific; extremely large or great.

trend

Noun:  A tendency or inclination in behavior.

trials and tribulations

Tests of one's patience and endurance.

trigonometry

Noun: The branch of mathematics that deals with the relationships between the sides and the angles of triangles and the calculations based on them.

tsampa

Noun:  Roasted barley flour, a Tibetan staple foodstuff.

tuition

Noun:  A sum of money paid for instruction (such as in a high school, university, or college).

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