orenda

American  

[aw-ren-duh, oh-ren-] / ɔˈrɛn də, oʊˈrɛn- /

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.

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Etymology

Origin of orenda

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 of the rabbit controls the snow and fixes the depth to which it will fall.

From Darwin and Modern Science by Seward, A. C. (Albert Charles)

The notes of birds are utterances of their orenda.

From Darwin and Modern Science by Seward, A. C. (Albert Charles)

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

From Darwin and Modern Science by Seward, A. C. (Albert Charles)

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

From Darwin and Modern Science by Seward, A. C. (Albert Charles)

This orenda is your power to do things, your force, sometimes almost your personality.

From Darwin and Modern Science by Seward, A. C. (Albert Charles)