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Powwow
Definitions
- 1 A ritual conducted by a Native American shaman.
- 2 (informal) a quick private conference wordnet
- 3 A Native American shaman.
- 4 a council of or with Native Americans wordnet
- 5 A Native American council or meeting.
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- 6 A short, private conference. informal
"While the powwow was going on the big woman came back again. She was consider'ble rumpled and scratched up, but there was fire in her eye."
- 7 A large gathering during which Indigenous songs and dances are showcased for an audience, essentially a recital or concert. Often also doubles as a fundraiser, or can be held in conjunction with a non-indigenous fair or exhibition in order to attract a large crowd, as at the Calgary Stampede and K-Days. Canada, US
"On the way out, Octavio handed me a flyer for the powwow that listed the prize money in each dance category."
- 8 A tradition of folk magic practiced by the Pennsylvania Dutch.
- 1 To hold a meeting; to gather together in council. intransitive
"[The] Indians saw everything that happened and powwowed all night, needing more than anything else the presence of Tecumseh. The most aggressive element was the Winnebagos, who insisted on attacking."
- 2 hold a powwow, talk, conference or meeting wordnet
- 3 To conduct a ritual in which magic is used. intransitive
"Maybe no one— except possibly Leah— powwowed anymore."
- 4 To hold a private conference. informal, intransitive, offensive, often
Etymology
From an Eastern Algonquian language, probably Massachusett pauwau (“he uses divination; he practices magic or sorcery”) or Narragansett powwáw (“sorcerer, shaman”), ultimately from Proto-Algonquian *pawe·wa (“one who dreams”).
From an Eastern Algonquian language, probably Massachusett pauwau (“he uses divination; he practices magic or sorcery”) or Narragansett powwáw (“sorcerer, shaman”), ultimately from Proto-Algonquian *pawe·wa (“one who dreams”).
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