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View synonyms for shaman

shaman

[ shah-muhn, shey-, sham-uhn ]

noun

  1. (especially among certain tribal peoples) a person who acts as intermediary between the natural and supernatural worlds, using magic to cure illness, foretell the future, control spiritual forces, etc.


shaman

/ ʃəˈmænɪk; ˈʃæmən /

noun

  1. a priest of shamanism
  2. a medicine man of a similar religion, esp among certain tribes of North American Indians


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Derived Forms

  • shamanic, adjective

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Other Words From

  • sha·man·ic [sh, uh, -, man, -ik], adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of shaman1

First recorded in 1690–1700; from German Schamane, from Russian shamán, probably from Evenki šamān, samān or another Tungusic language, perhaps ultimately via an intermediary such as Tocharian B from Sanskrit śramaṇá- “ascetic, monk”

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Word History and Origins

Origin of shaman1

C17: from Russian shaman, from Tungusian ̆saman, from Pali samana Buddhist monk, ultimately from Sanskrit śrama religious exercise

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Example Sentences

To hear 26-year-old Jillian Banks talk about her music is like listening to a shaman explain the mechanics of a complex spell.

But, like a traditional shaman, Coltrane clearly believed that the drums served as a springboard to a higher order of engagement.

As the Cofán shaman blew strongly over the cup, I took those few seconds to contemplate how I had managed to find myself here.

Let a shaman wave vine leaves over her and enforce a little semi-public shaming.

Don't listen to urban people scared of their own shadow, it will be fantastic, and with a Taita [shaman].

This struggle has been going on from the time of the "shaman" to the present moment.

He had thought then that no red man would speak so demeaningly of his parentage, and here now was a shaman of the red men who did.

The old shaman dangled the time teller by its gold chain over Floating Lily's tiny head.

The shaman is merely interred; since he is supposed to be too full of the evil spirit to be consumed by fire.

Not only was the shaman endowed with the power of projecting his own 'astral body' into the Land of Spirits.

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shamashamanism