calumet

American  

[kal-yuh-met, kal-yuh-met] / ˈkæl yəˌmɛt, ˌkæl yəˈmɛt /

noun

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

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calumet British  

/ ˈkæljʊˌmɛt /

noun

1. a less common name for peace pipe

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Etymology

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

Example Sentences

One of the prairie schooners is a genuine survivor of the Colorado gold rush, the calumet used at the powwow is supposed to have been sucked by Sitting Bull himself.

From Time Magazine Archive

"I do not smoke," added Big Chief Nikita, "but really, I would be happy to light the calumet together with the leaders of all powers."

From Time Magazine Archive

On the first of May, Pontiac came to the gate with forty men of the Ottawa tribe, and asked permission to enter and dance the calumet dance, before the officers of the garrison.

From The Conspiracy of Pontiac and the Indian War after the Conquest of Canada by Parkman, Francis

He thanked Onontio for bringing back the calumet of peace, and congratulated him that he had not dug up the hatchet that had so often been red with the blood of his countrymen.

From Count Frontenac Makers of Canada, Volume 3 by LeSueur, William Dawson

He smokes the calumet with the chiefs, while his own followers are burning down the houses of their nation.

From The Cavaliers of Virginia or, The Recluse of Jamestown. Vol. II by Caruthers, William A. (Alexander)