calumet

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

noun

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

Origin of calumet

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; see origin at chalumeau, -et

Also called peace pipe.

Words Nearby calumet

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use calumet in a sentence

My father will give tobacco to his son, in order that he may smoke the calumet of friendship on his return.
The Border Rifles | Gustave Aimard
At the end of it all, I lay in the lean-to and I heard a voice say that if someone would smoke the calumet there would be peace.
Shaman | Robert Shea
There they smoked the calumet with the English and exchanged presents and promises of kindness and friendship.
Four American Indians | Edson L. Whitney
With injured dignity he asked if his followers were not to be allowed to enjoy the smoke of the calumet.
Four American Indians | Edson L. Whitney
A small area known as "Oklahoma" or "calumet" had perhaps the largest number.
Negro Migration during the War | Emmett J. Scott

British Dictionary definitions for calumet

calumet

/ (ˈkæljʊˌmɛt) /

noun

a less common name for peace pipe

Origin of calumet

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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