orenda

[ aw-ren-duh, oh-ren- ]

noun

1. a supernatural force believed by the Iroquois Indians to be present, in varying degrees, in all objects or persons, and to be the spiritual force by which human accomplishment is attained or accounted for.

Word History and Origins

Origin of orenda¹

1902; coined by U.S. ethnologist J.N.B. Hewitt from the supposed Huron cognate of Mohawk orę́˙naʔ inherent power (akin to karę́˙naʔ song; compare Seneca oęnǫʔ power, song with power, kaęnǫʔ song)

Example Sentences

The Orenda girls turned instinctively toward Isagani, who smiled silently.

From Project Gutenberg

The Iroquoian tribes designate this mysterious force orenda.

From Project Gutenberg

A man who hunts well has much and good orenda; the shy bird who escapes his snares has a fine orenda.

From Project Gutenberg

This notion of orenda, a sort of pan-vitalism, is more fluid than animism, and probably precedes it.

From Project Gutenberg

Like orenda it manifests itself in noises, but specially mysterious ones, it is mana that is rustling in the trees.

From Project Gutenberg