ju·ju

[joo-joo]
noun
1.
an object venerated superstitiously and used as a fetish or amulet by tribal peoples of West Africa.
2.
the magical power attributed to such an object.
3.
a ban or interdiction effected by it.

Origin:
1890–95; allegedly < Hausa jūjū fetish

ju·ju·ism, noun
ju·ju·ist, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To Juju
Collins
World English Dictionary
juju (ˈdʒuːdʒuː) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
n
1.  an object superstitiously revered by certain W African peoples and used as a charm or fetish
2.  the power associated with a juju
3.  a taboo effected by a juju
4.  any process in which a mystery is exploited to confuse people
 
[C19: probably from Hausa djudju evil spirit, fetish]
 
'jujuism
 
n
 
'jujuist
 
n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
00:10
Juju is always a great word to know.
So is callithumpian. Does it mean:
a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes.
a chattering or flighty, light-headed person.
Dictionary.com's 21st Century Lexicon
Main Entry:  juju1
Part of Speech:  n
Definition:  a charm or amulet with magical powers; also written ju-ju
Etymology:  French joujou 'plaything'
Main Entry:  juju2
Part of Speech:  n
Definition:  the magical power of such an object
Etymology:  French joujou 'plaything'
Dictionary.com's 21st Century Lexicon
Copyright © 2003-2013 Dictionary.com, LLC
Cite This Source
Synonyms
Synonym Game
Copyright © 2013 Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
  • Please Login or Sign Up to use the Recent Searches feature
FAVORITES
RECENT