shaman

noun

sha·​man ˈshä-mən How to pronounce shaman (audio)
ˈshā-,
 also  shə-ˈmän
plural shamans
1
: a priest or priestess who uses magic for the purpose of curing the sick, divining the hidden, and controlling events
2
: one who resembles a shaman
especially : high priest sense 3
shamanic
shə-ˈma-nik How to pronounce shaman (audio)
-ˈmä-
adjective

Examples of shaman in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In real life, the Malaysian factory workers weren’t fully responsive to the Western treatments — like Valium — that their employers put forward, reacting more positively to the services of a shaman, who performed an exorcism to rid them of their maladies. Beatrice Loayza, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2024 For one thing, Morrisseau almost always signed works with his shaman’s name, Copper Thunderbird, in Cree syllabics on the front—never illegibly on the back of the painting, never in English and certainly never with a copyright symbol. Jordan Michael Smith, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Feb. 2024 The show begins with the mystical Rafiki, the spirit shaman who is outside the story, but will interject herself at a crucial period when a confused Simba — in his befuddled, wandering phase — is finding his way. Christopher Smith, Orange County Register, 2 Feb. 2024 Not so long ago, that analogizing was the work of shamans, imams, and ministers. Tad Friend, The New Yorker, 4 Dec. 2023 The vessel may have belonged to a shaman in a tribal society, who could have used it in rituals, university officials said. Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2024 Morrisseau’s grandmother was Catholic, and his grandfather, a shaman, taught him his people’s spiritual traditions. Jordan Michael Smith, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Feb. 2024 Eventually, Morrisseau became a practicing shaman and began signing his paintings with the name Copper Thunderbird, given to him as part of a healing ceremony. Jordan Michael Smith, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Feb. 2024 The jaguar’s magic was believed to travel via the navel from the god to the shaman or king to the general welfare. Brian T. Allen, National Review, 1 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'shaman.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

ultimately from Evenki (Tungusic language of Siberia) šamān

First Known Use

1698, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of shaman was in 1698

Dictionary Entries Near shaman

Cite this Entry

“Shaman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shaman. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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