I. ˈpau̇ˌwau̇ noun
( -s )
Etymology: of Algonquian origin; akin to Natick pauwau conjurer, he uses divination, Narraganset powwaw
1.
a. : a No. American Indian conjurer or medicine man
b.
(1) : healing by incantation or magic among the Pennsylvania Dutch
(2) or powwow doctor : a practitioner of this art
the richest powwow in York … is said to receive as much as $50 for a treatment — Nation
2.
a. : a No. American Indian ceremony (as for the cure of disease, success in hunting, victory in war) often accompanied by great noise, feasting, and dancing
b.
(1) : a tribal council
(2) : a conference with an Indian leader or group
held a powwow with the head medicine man — F.B.Gipson
3.
a. : a social gathering or celebration ; especially : a noisy one : frolic
then came the powwow , with the Old Man the guest of honor — H.A.Chippendale
b. : a meeting or conference for discussion : session
brought together in a two-day powwow businessmen … scholars, journalists, and government officials — F.L.Allen
official small fry … that modestly take up wall space at international powwows — Janet Flanner
especially : a meeting to discuss political strategy
indicated here at a … Democratic powwow that any party presidential campaign will lean heavily on the administration foreign policy record — Christian Science Monitor
c. : an informal conversation or interview
in Rome the year before … had a fine powwow with the Pope — Bruce Marshall
especially : a deliberative huddle
the … group, which held frequent little powwows, often gained time for further deliberations by bidding in smaller jumps — S.G.Thompson
II. “, ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷ verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
intransitive verb
1. : to hold or take part in a ceremonial or conjuring session ; especially : to practice healing by incantation or magic
2. : to have a meeting or take part in a discussion
invited them to stack their arms in the yard, and come inside the shack and powwow — W.A.Fraser
transitive verb
: to subject to treatment by incantation or magic
had one of his eyes powwowed