mana

[ mah-nah ]

noun

1. Anthropology. a generalized, supernatural force or power, which may be concentrated in objects or people.
2. Games. a finite supply of magic or magic points that is depleted with every spell cast by a magic-wielding player character in a video game, role-playing game, collectible card game, trading card game, etc., and that is slowly replenished with rest or quickly restored by certain items, like potions:

   This tank needs to slow his roll—the healer is out of mana.

mana

/ ˈmɑːnə /

noun

1. (in Polynesia, Melanesia, etc) a concept of a life force, believed to be seated in the head, and associated with high social status and ritual power
2. any power achieved by ritual means; prestige; authority

Word History and Origins

Origin of mana¹

First recorded in 1835–45; from a Polynesian language, e.g., Maori, Hawaian mana “power, psychic power, authority, control”

Word History and Origins

Origin of mana¹

from Polynesian

Example Sentences

Mana Epiha said Marler was obviously "a little bit lost", external, while Dr Karaitiana Taiuru said he lacked cultural appreciation.

From BBC

There has been no public comment from Sheikha Mahra's husband, Sheikh Mana bin Mohammed bin Rashid bin Mana Al Maktoum, or her father.

From BBC

Sheikh Mana's account likewise seems stripped of pictures of his wife.

From BBC

When Mana Parast was a medical resident in 2003, she had an experience that would change the course of her entire career: her first fetal autopsy.

From Salon

“The landslide buried more than 2,000 people alive and caused major destruction to buildings, food gardens and caused major impact on the economic lifeline of the country,” Lusete Laso Mana, an official in the national disaster center, said in a letter to the United Nations.

From New York Times