marabout

American  

[mar-uh-boot, -boo] / ˈmær əˌbut, -ˌbu /

noun

1. Islam.

   1. a hermit or holy man, especially in N Africa, often wielding political power and credited with supernatural powers.

   2. the tomb or shrine of such a man.

2. marabou.

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marabout British  

/ ˈmærəˌbuː /

noun

1. a Muslim holy man or hermit of North Africa

2. a shrine of the grave of a marabout

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Other Word Forms

• maraboutism noun

Etymology

Origin of marabout

1615–25; < French < Portuguese marabuto < Arabic murābit; Almoravid, maravedi

Example Sentences

Another marabout in a suburb of Dakar said he supports the government's efforts, but Quranic schools need more financial support to improve.

From US News • Aug. 26, 2016

“Maraboutage” — a local term connoting the bewitching influence of the marabout, or holy man — “still exists,” he added.

From New York Times • Jun. 18, 2015

Thurman, the willowy actress who's one of eight members of the jury presided by Robert De Niro, wore a white bustier dress by Versace, with a marabout feather-embellished train.

From Seattle Times • May 12, 2011

Abdul Aziz Bah, a marabout based in the Keur Massar suburb of Dakar who is responsible for 100 children, condemned the abusive teachers as charlatans.

From Los Angeles Times

Tulle dresses of two or three jupes have the lowest one edged simply with a hem, and the upper ones edged with a row of marabout fringe.

From The International Magazine, Volume 2, No. 3, February, 1851 by Various