calumet

[ kal-yuh-met, kal-yuh-met ]

noun

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

calumet

/ ˈkæljʊˌmɛt /

noun

1. a less common name for peace pipe

Word History and Origins

Origin of calumet¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of calumet¹

C18: from Canadian French, from French (Normandy dialect): straw, from Late Latin calamellus a little reed, from Latin: calamus

Example Sentences

On the first of May, Pontiac came to the gate with forty men of the Ottawa tribe, and asked permission to enter and dance the calumet dance, before the officers of the garrison.

From Project Gutenberg

The drinking of mat� among the gauchos, and among all Argentines for that matter, is like the smoking of the calumet among North American Indians.

From Project Gutenberg

He carried in his hand a calumet, ornamented with feathers.

From Project Gutenberg

In full dress, the men of consideration wear a hawk's feather or calumet feather, worked with porcupine-quills, and fastened to the top of the head, from which it falls back.

From Project Gutenberg

In the centre of the semi-circle was erected a flag-staff, on which was waving a white flag, and to which also was tied the calumet, both expressive of their friendly feelings towards us.

From Project Gutenberg