manitou

[ man-i-too ]

noun

, plural man·i·tous, (especially collectively) man·i·tou.

1. (among the Algonquian people) a supernatural being that controls nature; a spirit, deity, or object that possesses supernatural power.

manitou

/ ˈmænɪˌtəʊ; ˈmænɪˌtuː /

noun

1. (among the Algonquian Indians) a deified spirit or force

Word History and Origins

Origin of manitou¹

First recorded in 1605–15; from Unami Delaware monə́t·u, reinforced by or reborrowed from Ojibwe manidoo and other cognates (all from unrecorded Proto-Algonquian maneto·wa ); spelling influenced by equivalent French word

Word History and Origins

Origin of manitou¹

C17: from Algonquian; related to Ojibwa manito spirit

Example Sentences

Manitou Council of Wisconsin did however question the merger—all the way to court.

From The Daily Beast

Love was the choicest gift of the Heelhi-Manitou, a thing not to be lightly taken, and never to be cast aside as worthless.

From Project Gutenberg

Here the hunter blackened his face and prayed earnestly that the Great Manitou might send back his wife.

From Project Gutenberg

When the Manitou is ready and shall say "Come," we will follow the river to the sea, and take our own again.'

From Project Gutenberg

When Adam and Eve died they, too, became spirits and continued to watch the home of Manitou.

From Project Gutenberg

This was where the Ojibways came to lay offerings before the image of Manitou, whose home was there believed to be.

From Project Gutenberg