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.
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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]