calumet

English

Etymology

From a Norman variant of Old French chalumeau (imported to Canada with Norman colonists), from Latin calamellus, diminutive of calamus (reed), from Ancient Greek κάλαμος (kálamos).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈkæljʊmɛt/

Noun

calumet (plural calumets)

  1. A clay tobacco-pipe used by American Indians, especially as a symbol of truce or peace.
    • 1922, James Joyce, Ulysses:
      THE CALUMET OF PEACE. He offered a cigarette to the professor and took one himself.
    • 2010, William Ingraham Kip, The Early Jesuit Missions in North America, page 283:
      When the chief has directed them to approach, they advance; those who have the calumets, chant and dance with much agility, now turning around each other, and now presenting themselves in front, but always with violent movements and extraordinary contortions.

Synonyms


French

Etymology

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ka.ly.mɛ/

Noun

calumet m (plural calumets)

  1. calumet (clay tobacco-pipe used by American Indians, especially as a symbol of truce or peace)
    • 1947, Boris Vian, L'écume des jours, Kindle edition:
      Il avait aussi à côté de lui une cuvette pour rendre son goujon, et une serviette humide pour se rafraîchir les tempes, et un flacon d’alcool de menthe de Ricqlès pour corser l’effet du calumet.
      (please add an English translation of this quote)

Further reading

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