powwow

[pou-wou] /ˈpaʊˌwaʊ/
noun
1.
(among North American Indians) a ceremony, especially one accompanied by magic, feasting, and dancing, performed for the cure of disease, success in a hunt, etc.
2.
a council or conference of or with Indians.
3.
(among North American Indians) a priest or shaman.
4.
Informal. any conference or meeting.
verb (used without object)
5.
to hold a powwow.
6.
Informal. to confer.
Origin
1615-25, Americanism; < Narragansett (E spelling) powwaw Indian priest (and the identical word in Massachusett) < Proto-Algonquian *pawe·wa he dreams (used as a derived agent noun meaning “he who dreams”, i.e., one who derives his power from visions)
Examples from the web for powwow
  • The connection between powwow and patron wasn't immediately obvious.
  • Going to a powwow is one way to get up close to these arts and meet the artists who carry on their group's traditions.
  • If you do attend a powwow, don't applaud or ask insensitive questions.
  • In a nearby room, another dozen family members were sewing powwow outfits.
  • For all of the dancers, it would be their first powwow.
British Dictionary definitions for powwow

powwow

/ˈpaʊˌwaʊ/
noun
1.
a talk, conference, or meeting
2.
a magical ceremony of certain North American Indians, usually accompanied by feasting and dancing
3.
(among certain North American Indians) a medicine man
4.
a meeting of or negotiation with North American Indians
verb
5.
(intransitive) to hold a powwow
Word Origin
C17: from Algonquian; related to Natick pauwau one who practises magic, Narraganset powwaw
Word Origin and History for powwow
n.

1620s, "priest, sorcerer," from a southern New England Algonquian language (probably Narragansett) powwaw "shaman, medicine man, Indian priest," from a verb meaning "to use divination, to dream," from Proto-Algonquian *pawe:wa "he dreams, one who dreams." Meaning "magical ceremony among North American Indians" is recorded from 1660s. Sense of "council, conference, meeting" is first recorded 1812. Verb sense of "to confer, discuss" is attested from 1780.

Slang definitions & phrases for powwow

powwow

noun

A meeting; discussion: The directors are having a crucial pow-wow

[1625+; ultimately fr an Algonquian word for ''medicine man,'' meaning ''he dreams,'' extended to mean counsel and a council]