noli me tangere

/N OW1 L IY0 M IY0 T AE0 NG G ER0/
noun
  1. 1

    A warning to avoid or not to interfere.

  2. 2

    Someone (such as a disagreeable person) or something (such as a painful experience or taboo topic) to be avoided or not interfered with.

  3. 3

    (Christianity, art) A picture depicting Jesus appearing to Mary Magdalene shortly after his resurrection from the dead (see the etymology).

  4. 4

    Any of various plants with fruits or seed capsules that, when ripe, burst open and discharge their seeds when touched, or with leaves that fold and droop when touched.

  5. 5

    Some plants of the genus Impatiens; specifically, the touch-me-not balsam or yellow balsam (Impatiens noli-tangere).

  6. 6

    The squirting cucumber (Ecballium elaterium).

  7. 7

    (archaic) The sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica), the leaves of which fold inwards and droop when shaken or touched.

  8. 8

    (medicine, obsolete) Any of various diseases causing ulcers of the skin and underlying tissues, especially of the face; many of these diseases are now thought to be due to basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma.