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tabad

tábad with stress marks

dilution water; bloodletting

noun TA-bad Native origin Rare

Also means

Tabad can also refer to bloodletting or phlebotomy in a traditional medical sense.

Usage Note

Tabad has two related but distinct uses: as the water or liquid added to dilute a stronger drink (such as mixing water into spirits), and as a traditional term for bloodletting used in folk medicine. Both senses involve reducing concentration — either of alcohol or of excess blood. The dilution sense is still heard in informal drinking settings.

Examples

Beginner

" Naglagay siya ng tabad sa alak. "

Natural Translation

He added dilution water to the liquor.

Literal Translation

Put he of dilution-water in liquor.

Intermediate

" Kailangan ng tabad para sa alak. "

Natural Translation

Dilution water is needed for the alcohol.

Literal Translation

Need of dilution water for alcohol.

Advanced

" Marunong ang matandang manggagamot sa tabad, ngunit bihira na itong gawin ngayong may makabagong gamot. "

Natural Translation

The old healer knew how to do bloodletting, but it is rarely done now that there is modern medicine.

Literal Translation

Knowledgeable the old healer in bloodletting, but rare already this to-do now that has modern medicine.

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