calumet

American  

[kal-yuh-met, kal-yuh-met] / ˈkæl jəˌmɛt, ˌkæl jəˈmɛt /

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

"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

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

"Light another cigar, and sit down here beside me,—I don't dislike smoke, and it may, perchance, be a peace calumet between us; and let us talk, if possible, reasonably and calmly."

From The Martins Of Cro' Martin, Vol. II (of II) by Lever, Charles James

He carried in his hand a calumet, ornamented with feathers.

From Travels in the Interior of North America, Part I, (Being Chapters I-XV of the London Edition, 1843) Early Western Travels, 1748-1846, Volume XXII by Maximilian, Alexander Philipp

Pontiac rejoined, that he wished all his warriors to enjoy the fragrance of the friendly calumet.

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