grigri

or gree·gree, gris-gris

[ gree-gree ]

noun

, plural gri·gris.

1. an African charm, amulet, or fetish.

grigri

/ ˈɡriːɡriː /

noun

1. an African talisman, amulet, or charm

Word History and Origins

Origin of grigri¹

First recorded in 1755–65, grigri is from the French word gris-gris, grigri, first recorded in West Africa in 1557; origin obscure

Word History and Origins

Origin of grigri¹

of African origin

Example Sentences

Thus, in a Louisiana Creole song, we find a quadroon mother promising her daughter a charm to prevent the white lover from forsaking her: "Pou tchomb� li na f� grigri."

From Project Gutenberg

They do not profess Mohammedanism and have implicit confidence in their "grigris."

From Project Gutenberg

According to Mungo Park, the natives of all portions of the Dark Continent are accustomed to wear written charms, called saphies, grigris, or fetiches, whose chief use is the warding-off or cure of disease.

From Project Gutenberg

The amulets or charms, called "grigris" by the African priests, are of similar 170description.

From Project Gutenberg

An essential article, hung round the neck or slung to the body, is the grigri, ta'awíz, or talisman, a Koranic verse or a magic diagram enclosed in a leathern roll or in a flat square.

From Project Gutenberg