powwow
/ˈpaʊ(ˌ)waʊ/
Word Rarity
Very rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.27 in modern English
17
Scrabble Score
6
Letters
2
Syllables
3
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A ritual conducted by a Native American shaman.
noun
noun
A Native American council or meeting.
noun
A large gathering during which Indigenous songs and dances are showcased for an audience, essentially a recital or concert. Often also doubles as a fundraiser, or can be held in conjunction with a non-indigenous fair or exhibition in order to attract a large crowd, as at the Calgary Stampede and K-Days.
Canadian usage; American usage
noun
A tradition of folk magic practiced by the Pennsylvania Dutch.
Example Sentences
- "While the powwow was going on the big woman came back again. She was consider'ble rumpled and scratched up, but there was fire in her eye."
- "On the way out, Octavio handed me a flyer for the powwow that listed the prize money in each dance category."
- "[The] Indians saw everything that happened and powwowed all night, needing more than anything else the presence of Tecumseh. The most aggressive element was the Winnebagos, who insisted on attacking."
- "Maybe no one— except possibly Leah— powwowed anymore."
Etymology
From an Eastern Algonquian language, probably Massachusett pauwau (“he uses divination; he practices magic or sorcery”) or Narragansett powwáw (“sorcerer, shaman”), ultimately from Proto-Algonquian *pawe·wa (“one who dreams”).
Word Breakdown
- Root: pauwau, powwáw, *pawe·wa