shaman

[shah-muhn, shey-, sham-uhn]

noun

1. (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.

shaman

/ ʃəˈmænɪk, ˈʃæmən /

noun

1. a priest of shamanism

2. a medicine man of a similar religion, esp among certain tribes of North American Indians

Other Word Forms

• shamanic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of shaman¹

First recorded in 1690–1700; from German Schamane, from Russian shamán, probably from Evenki šamān, samān or another Tungusic language, perhaps ultimately via an intermediary such as Tocharian B from Sanskrit śramaṇá- “ascetic, monk”

Word History and Origins

Origin of shaman¹

C17: from Russian shaman, from Tungusian ̆saman, from Pali samana Buddhist monk, ultimately from Sanskrit śrama religious exercise

Example Sentences

When the shaman gave Brown the “medicine,” he didn’t feel anything at first.

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“Historically, Korean shamans are mostly women, which was kind of perfect for us. They were women, but they actually wore male garb, so they were dressed looking like men.”

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Dr. Kelson, a shaman, sculptor and anthropologist, insists that even the infected still share a common humanity.

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When a colleague asks him how he can stomach such a thing while eating, Doo-man replies that the food fuels his “shaman’s eyes,” which he uses to identify potential suspects.

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Another woman then informed the victim by telephone that the "shaman" had fallen into a severe coma as a result of the ritual.

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Related Words

• healer