shaman
[shah-muh n, shey-, sham-uh n]
- (especially among certain tribal peoples) a person who acts as intermediary between the natural and supernatural worlds, using magic to cure illness, foretell the future, control spiritual forces, etc.
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Origin of shaman
1690–1700; < German Schamane < Russian shamán, probably < Evenki šamān, samān
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for shaman
Contemporary Examples
To hear 26-year-old Jillian Banks talk about her music is like listening to a shaman explain the mechanics of a complex spell.
As the Cofán shaman blew strongly over the cup, I took those few seconds to contemplate how I had managed to find myself here.
Let a shaman wave vine leaves over her and enforce a little semi-public shaming.
Don't listen to urban people scared of their own shadow, it will be fantastic, and with a Taita [shaman].
Historical Examples
He had never forgiven the Shaman, you see, for that old story about the Corn Maiden.
The Trail BookMary Austin
She put on her Shaman's dress and about the middle of the day the Cacique of the Sun sent for them.
The Trail BookMary Austin
I had the power of a Shaman, though the Holder of the Heavens had not yet spoken to me.
The Trail BookMary Austin
He was older than I, but he was also fat, and for all his Shaman's dress I was not frightened.
The Trail BookMary Austin
Thus the Shaman planned before the start was made for Midas.
The Trail of a SourdoughMay Kellogg Sullivan
shaman
- a priest of shamanism
- a medicine man of a similar religion, esp among certain tribes of North American Indians
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Word Origin
C17: from Russian shaman, from Tungusian ̆saman, from Pali samana Buddhist monk, ultimately from Sanskrit śrama religious exercise
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for shaman
n.
1690s, "priest of the Ural-Altaic peoples," probably via German Schamane, from Russian sha'man, from Tungus saman, which is perhaps from Chinese sha men "Buddhist monk," from Prakrit samaya-, from Sanskrit sramana-s "Buddhist ascetic" [OED]. Related: Shamanic.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper