calumet

cal·u·met

noun \ˈkal-yə-ˌmet, -mət\

Definition of CALUMET

: a highly ornamented ceremonial pipe of the American Indians

Illustration of CALUMET

Origin of CALUMET

American French, from French dialect, pipe stem, from Late Latin calamellus, diminutive of Latin calamus reed — more at calamus

First Known Use: 1698

Rhymes with CALUMET

aiguillette, alphabet, anisette, avocet, banneret, basinet, bassinet, bayonet, bobbinet, bouncing bet, briolette, burgonet, canzonet, castanet, cellarette, chemisette, cigarette, clarinet, Cook Inlet, coronet, corselet, dragonet, dresser set, electret, en brochette, epaulet, Ethernet, etiquette, falconet, farmerette, featurette, flageolet, flannelette, great egret, guillemet, heavyset, jaconet, Joliet, Juliet, kitchenette, landaulet, lanneret, launderette, leatherette, luncheonette, maisonette, majorette, marmoset, marquisette, martinet, mignonette, minaret, minuet, miquelet, netiquette, novelette, oubliette, parapet, paupiette, photoset, pirouette, plasma jet, quodlibet, rondelet, safety net, satinet, scilicet, sermonette, serviette, silhouette, sobriquet, solleret, somerset, Somerset, soviet, space cadet, spinneret, statuette, stockinette, suffragette, superjet, swimmeret, taboret, teacher's pet, thermoset, towelette, trebuchet, tricolette, triple threat, underlet, usherette, vinaigrette, wagonette, web-offset

Cal·u·met

geographical name \ˈkal-yə-ˌmet, -mət\

Definition of CALUMET

industrial region NW Indiana & NE Illinois SE of & adjacent to Chicago including cities of E. Chicago, Gary, & Hammond, Indiana, & Calumet City & Lansing, Illinois

calumet

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

One of the central ceremonial objects of many American Indian groups. It was considered a microcosm, its parts and its decorative colours and motifs corresponding to the essential parts of the universe. It was smoked in personal prayer as well as at collective rites. Because of the narcotic effect of the tobacco and the symbolism of the indrawn and ascending smoke, the calumet was employed as a means of communication between the spirit world and humans.

Variants of CALUMET

calumet or sacred pipe or peace pipe