calumet

American  

[kal-yuh-met, kal-yuh-met] / ˈkæl yəˌmɛt, ˌkæl yəˈmɛt /

noun

1. a long-stemmed, ornamented tobacco pipe used by North American Indians on ceremonial occasions, especially in token of peace.

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calumet British  

/ ˈkæljʊˌmɛt /

noun

1. a less common name for peace pipe

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Etymology

Origin of calumet

First recorded in 1710–20; from French, originally dialect (Norman, Picard): “pipe stem,” a by-form of French chalumeau “reed flute, stem of a reed,” with suffix altered to -et; chalumeau, -et

Example Sentences

One of the prairie schooners is a genuine survivor of the Colorado gold rush, the calumet used at the powwow is supposed to have been sucked by Sitting Bull himself.

From Time Magazine Archive

"I do not smoke," added Big Chief Nikita, "but really, I would be happy to light the calumet together with the leaders of all powers."

From Time Magazine Archive

The word calumet is due to Father Marquette, and his description of this interesting Indian pipe and its uses among the Indians over two hundred years ago is best given in his own words:

From Explorers and Travellers by Greely, Adolphus W.

The men of the Sault assembled in due form, lighted the fire for him, gave him the calumet to smoke, and went through all the ceremonies save one, which most unfortunately was forgotten.

From The Life and Times of Kateri Tekakwitha The Lily of the Mohawks by Walworth, Ellen H.

He describes it by the name of the calumet of peace, and his words are these, Book I., chap.

From The History of Virginia, in Four Parts by Beverley, Robert