POWWOW

huddle, powwow

(noun) (informal) a quick private conference

powwow

(noun) a council of or with Native Americans

powwow

(verb) hold a powwow, talk, conference or meeting

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Noun

powwow (plural powwows)

A ritual conducted by a Native American shaman.

A Native American shaman.

A Native American council or meeting.

(informal) A short, private conference.

(North America) A large gathering during which Indigenous songs and dances are showcased for an audience, essentially a recital or concert. Often also doubles as a fundraiser, or can be held in conjunction with a non-indigneous fair or exhibition in order to attract a large crowd, as at the Calgary Stampede and K-Days.

Verb

powwow (third-person singular simple present powwows, present participle powwowing, simple past and past participle powwowed)

(intransitive, of Native Americans) To hold a meeting; to gather together in council.

(intransitive, of Native Americans and by extension other groups, such as the Pennsylvania Dutch) To conduct a ritual in which magic is used.

(informal, intransitive) To hold a private conference.

Source: Wiktionary


Pow"wow`, n.

1. A priest, or conjurer, among the North American Indians. Be it sagamore, sachem, or powwow. Longfellow.

2. Conjuration attended with great noise and confusion, and often with feasting, dancing, etc., performed by Indians for the cure of diseases, to procure success in hunting or in war, and for other purposes.

3. Hence: Any assembly characterized by noise and confusion; a noisy frolic or gathering. [Colloq. U. S.]

Pow"wow`, v. i.

1. To use conjuration, with noise and confusion, for the cure of disease, etc., as among the North American Indians.

2. Hence: To hold a noisy, disorderly meeting. [Colloq. U. S.]

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



RESET




Word of the Day

1 June 2025

BACKFIRE

(verb) come back to the originator of an action with an undesired effect; “Your comments may backfire and cause you a lot of trouble”; “the political movie backlashed on the Democrats”


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Coffee Trivia

According to Guinness World Records, the largest coffee press is 230 cm (7 ft 6 in) in height and 72 cm (2 ft 4 in) in diameter and was created by Salzillo Tea and Coffee (Spain) in Murcia, Spain, in February 2007. The cafetière consists of a stainless steel container, a filtering piston, and a superior lid.

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