peyote

American  

[pey-oh-tee, pe-yaw-te] / peɪˈoʊ ti, pɛˈyɔ tɛ /

noun

plural

peyotes

1. mescal.

2. mescal button.

3. mescaline.

4. (in Mexico) any of several cacti related to or resembling mescal.

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peyote British  

/ pɪ-, peɪˈəʊtɪ /

noun

1. another name for mescal

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Etymology

Origin of peyote

1840–50, < Mexican Spanish < Nahuatl peyotl

Example Sentences

Smith, the Supreme Court upheld the firing of two Native American employees who had been denied unemployment benefits after using peyote, a sacrament in their religious ceremonies.

From Slate • Mar. 12, 2024

He also helped push through a 1994 amendment to the American Indian Religious Freedom Act to allow the use of peyote for religious purposes.

From New York Times • Mar. 31, 2023

The 1990 case ruled against a Native American group that wanted to use peyote in its services.

From Washington Post • Sep. 7, 2022

For example: providing a religious exemption to Indigenous people who take peyote as part of a ritual.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 27, 2022

However, with the introduction of the peyote cult, which among the Washo is concerned with curing, the shaman was superseded.

From Washo Religion by Downs, James F.