shaman

[ shah-muhn, shey-, sham-uhn ]

noun

1. (especially among certain tribal peoples) a person who acts as intermediary between the natural and supernatural worlds, using magic to cure illness, foretell the future, control spiritual forces, etc.

shaman

/ ʃəˈmænɪk; ˈʃæmən /

noun

1. a priest of shamanism
2. a medicine man of a similar religion, esp among certain tribes of North American Indians

Derived Forms

• shamanic, adjective

Other Words From

• sha·man·ic [sh, uh, -, man, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of shaman¹

First recorded in 1690–1700; from German Schamane, from Russian shamán, probably from Evenki šamān, samān or another Tungusic language, perhaps ultimately via an intermediary such as Tocharian B from Sanskrit śramaṇá- “ascetic, monk”

Word History and Origins

Origin of shaman¹

C17: from Russian shaman, from Tungusian ̆saman, from Pali samana Buddhist monk, ultimately from Sanskrit śrama religious exercise

Example Sentences

Some researchers suspect that this man was a ritual leader, such as a shaman.

From Science News For Students

Some followers, including a Phoenix man who dressed as a shaman and toted a “Q sent me” sign during the rally, have been arrested.

From Washington Post

Healers and shamans in myriad cultures had the knowledge to administer concoctions made out of herbs and plants to treat people of their ailments.

From Popular-Science

A shaman—a stout, middle-aged woman with long, dark hair—leads us through the permission ceremony.

From Outside Online

After a few moments of silence, the shaman tells us that the spirit has allowed us inside what she calls “the womb of the earth.”

From Outside Online

To hear 26-year-old Jillian Banks talk about her music is like listening to a shaman explain the mechanics of a complex spell.

From The Daily Beast

But, like a traditional shaman, Coltrane clearly believed that the drums served as a springboard to a higher order of engagement.

From The Daily Beast

As the Cofán shaman blew strongly over the cup, I took those few seconds to contemplate how I had managed to find myself here.

From The Daily Beast

Let a shaman wave vine leaves over her and enforce a little semi-public shaming.

From The Daily Beast

Don't listen to urban people scared of their own shadow, it will be fantastic, and with a Taita [shaman].

From The Daily Beast

This struggle has been going on from the time of the "shaman" to the present moment.

From Project Gutenberg

He had thought then that no red man would speak so demeaningly of his parentage, and here now was a shaman of the red men who did.

From Project Gutenberg

The old shaman dangled the time teller by its gold chain over Floating Lily's tiny head.

From Project Gutenberg

The shaman is merely interred; since he is supposed to be too full of the evil spirit to be consumed by fire.

From Project Gutenberg

Not only was the shaman endowed with the power of projecting his own 'astral body' into the Land of Spirits.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• healer