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medicine man
noun
: a person especially among American Indian groups who is believed to possess supernatural powers that can heal illnesses and keep away evil spirits : shaman
Examples of medicine man in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
After Nygren's speech, medicine man Lorenzo Max led the march, singing prayers and sharing ancestral stories.
—Trilce Estrada Olvera, The Arizona Republic, 3 Aug. 2024
Iron Eyes, a 46-year-old lawyer and Indigenous rights activist, was 9 when a medicine man taught him traditions he’s maintained since, in the wake of the tribe’s annual sun dance ceremony at the park.
—Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 26 July 2024
And a Navajo medicine man will teach you about the indigenous population and its traditional practices.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 21 July 2024
Thirty-one of the 190 videos—almost a fifth—include disparaging remarks about tribal practices including the Sunrise Dance or medicine men, including two completely dedicated to convincing the congregation of the evil within the Sunrise Dance.
—Seyward Darby, Longreads, 28 June 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1801, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near medicine man
Cite this Entry
“Medicine man.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/medicine%20man. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
medicine man
noun
: a person especially among members of Indigenous American tribes that is believed to have magic powers that can cure illnesses and keep away evil spirits by potions and charms
More from Merriam-Webster on medicine man
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for medicine man
Nglish: Translation of medicine man for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about medicine man
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