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chaman

shaman

noun shah-MAHN Rare
Arts & Culture Traditions

Origin: Via French from Russian шаман (shaman), from Tungusic saman

Usage Note

Chaman refers to a spiritual practitioner in indigenous traditions who acts as intermediary between the human and spirit worlds. The related adjective chamanique means 'shamanic', and the practice is le chamanisme. The word entered European languages via Russian from Siberian Tungusic peoples.

Examples

"Le chaman dirigeait la cérémonie au lever du soleil."

Natural Translation

The shaman led the ceremony at sunrise.

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