DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan

 ta·bu·la ra·sa /ˌtæbjələˈrɑzə, sə/

 Tab·u·la n.; pl. Tabulae
 1. A table; a tablet.
 2. Zool. One of the transverse plants found in the calicles of certain corals and hydroids.
 Tabula rasa , a smoothed tablet; hence, figuratively, the mind in its earliest state, before receiving impressions from without; -- a term used by Hobbes, Locke, and others, in maintaining a theory opposed to the doctrine of innate ideas.
 ◄ ►

 tabula rasa
      n 1: a young mind not yet affected by experience (according to
           John Locke)
      2: an opportunity to start over without prejudice [syn: fresh
         start, clean slate]