Definition: Shaman
Etymology
Borrowed from German Schamane, from Russian шамаÌн or Å¡amán, from Evenki шама̄н or ÅŸamÄn, Ñама̄н or samÄn. The Evenki word is possibly derived from the root ша- (to know), or else a loanword from Tocharian B á¹£amÄne (monk), or Chinese 沙門ï¼æ²™é—¨ or shÄmén (Buddhist monk), from Pali samaṇa, from Sanskrit शà¥à¤°à¤®à¤£ or Å›ramaṇa (ascetic, monk, devotee), from शà¥à¤°à¤® or Å›rama (weariness, exhaustion; labor, toil; etc.), which would make this a doublet of sramana.
Noun
shaman (plural shamans)
- A traditional faith healer; a witch doctor.
- A member of certain tribal societies who acts as a spiritual or religious medium between the concrete and spirit worlds; sometimes also a healer.
Usage notes
- The plural form is shamans, not shamen; the etymologically-consistent plural form from the original Evenki is shamasal, but this form sees no use in English; the plural form shamans is, however, universally accepted.
Derived terms
- shamaness
- shamanism
Credits
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