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babaylan

noun
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ba·​bay·​lan
variants: or babailan \ ˌbäbīˈlän \ or babalyan \ -​bəlˈyän \ or babalian \ -​bəlēˈän \
plural babaylanes\ -​äˌnās \

Definition of babaylan

in central and southern Philippines
: a pagan priest, priestess, or medium

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First Known Use of babaylan

1900, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for babaylan

of Philippine origin; akin to Tagbanuwa babalyan, from balyan mediumship, esoteric religious skill

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The first known use of babaylan was in 1900

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Cite this Entry

“Babaylan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/babaylan. Accessed 1 Mar. 2021.

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