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6 dictionary results for: Potlatch
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
pot·latch 
[pot-lach] Pronunciation Key
[pot-lach] Pronunciation Key –noun
| 1. | (among American Indians of the northern Pacific coast, esp. the Kwakiutl) a ceremonial festival at which gifts are bestowed on the guests and property is destroyed by its owner in a show of wealth that the guests later attempt to surpass. |
| 2. | Pacific Northwest. a party or celebration. |
[Origin: 1835–45; < Chinook Jargon pátlač, páλač < Nootka p̉aλp̉a- (redupl. of p̉a- make ceremonial gifts in potlatch) + -č suffix marking iterative aspect]
]
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
| pot·latch
(pŏt'lāch') Pronunciation Key
n. A ceremonial feast among certain Native American peoples of the northwest Pacific coast, as in celebration of a marriage or accession, at which the host distributes gifts according to each guest's rank or status. Between rival groups the potlatch could involve extravagant or competitive giving and destruction by the host of valued items as a display of superior wealth. [Chinook Jargon, from Nootka p'achitl, to make a potlatch gift.] |
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
potlatch
potlatch
1845, from Chinook jargon, "a gift," from Wakashan (Nootka) patshatl "giving, gift."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
| potlatch | |
noun | |
| a ceremonial feast held by some Indians of the northwestern coast of North America (as in celebrating a marriage or a new accession) in which the host gives gifts to tribesmen and others to display his superior wealth (sometimes, formerly, to his own impoverishment) |
WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
U.S. Gazetteer - Cite This Source - Share This
Potlatch, ID (city, FIPS 64900) Location: 46.92319 N, 116.89786 W
Population (1990): 790 (360 housing units)
Area: 0.9 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 83855
U.S. Gazetteer, U.S. Census Bureau
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Potlatch
Pot"latch`\, n. [Chinook potlatch, pahtlatch, fr. Nootka pahchilt, pachalt, a gift.]1. Among the Kwakiutl, Chimmesyan, and other Indians of the northwestern coast of North America, a ceremonial distribution by a man of gifts to his own and neighboring tribesmen, often, formerly, to his own impoverishment. Feasting, dancing, and public ceremonies accompany it. 2. Hence, a feast given to a large number of persons, often accompanied by gifts. [Colloq., Northwestern America]
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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