[shah-muh
n, shey-, sham-uhn] 
| (esp. 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. |
[shuh-man-ik] , adjective | sha·man (shä'mən, shā'-) n. A member of certain tribal societies who acts as a medium between the visible world and an invisible spirit world and who practices magic or sorcery for purposes of healing, divination, and control over natural events. [Russian, from Tungus šaman, Buddhist monk, shaman, from Tocharian B ṣamāne, monk, from Prakrit ṣamana, from Sanskrit śramaṇaḥ, from śrámaḥ, religious exercise.] sha·man'ic (shə-mān'ĭk) adj. |