shaman

[ shah-muh n, shey-, sham-uh n ]

/ ˈʃɑ mən, ˈʃeɪ-, ˈʃæm ən /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR shaman ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

(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.

RELATED WORDS

healer, priest, sorcerer

Nearby words

shalosh seudoth, shalt, shalwar, sham, shama, shaman, shamanism, shamash, shamateur, shamba, shamble

Origin of shaman

1690–1700; < German Schamane < Russian shamán, probably < Evenki šamān, samān

Related forms

sha·man·ic

[shuh-man-ik] /ʃəˈmæn ɪk/, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for shaman

To hear 26-year-old Jillian Banks talk about her music is like listening to a shaman explain the mechanics of a complex spell.
The Mesmerizing Mystique of BANKS|Melissa Leon|October 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As the Cofán shaman blew strongly over the cup, I took those few seconds to contemplate how I had managed to find myself here.
Spirit Tripping With Colombian Shamans|Chris Allbritton|August 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Let a shaman wave vine leaves over her and enforce a little semi-public shaming.
Spirit Tripping With Colombian Shamans|Chris Allbritton|August 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Don't listen to urban people scared of their own shadow, it will be fantastic, and with a Taita [shaman].
Spirit Tripping With Colombian Shamans|Chris Allbritton|August 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST

And the shaman desired a man to tie the bird's wings to her side so that she might be still.
The Strange Story Book|Mrs. Andrew Lang
He trembled, but the shaman seized his arm and restrained him.
The Delight Makers|Adolf Bandelier
A blank is left for the name and clan of the victim, and is filled in by the shaman.
The Sacred Formulas of the Cherokees|James Mooney
Shaman and philosopher fight with ghosts, demons, spirits, gods.
The Ego and His Own|Max Stirner
This goes on until the shaman announces the appearance of the spirit with whom he desires to commune.
Ethnology of the Ungava District, Hudson Bay Territory|Lucien Turner

British Dictionary definitions for shaman

shaman

/ (ˈʃæmən) /

noun

a priest of shamanism

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

Derived Forms

shamanic (ʃəˈmænɪk), adjective

Word Origin for shaman

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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012