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/pˈaʊwˌaʊ/ Listen

noun

Powwow n.

1.

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

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. (Archaic, formerly Colloq. U. S.)

4.

Any meeting assembled to discuss an issue; a parley. (Informal)

verb

Powwow 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. (Archaic, formerly Colloq. U. S.)

3.

To hold a meeting to discuss an issue. (Informal)

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Etymology of 'Powwow'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Powwow" Quotes from Famous Books

... tall leader, "I reckon we're all here. Keep yer hands up. We'll have a powwow. 'Pache, stay up there, and you, Laramie, cover 'em from behind. Plug the first man ...

— "Where Angels Fear to Tread" and Other Stories of the Sea • Morgan Robertson

... himself in a curious way. Throughout the late winter he had been the object of a concerted attack from Stanton and the Committee. The Committee had tacitly annexed Stanton. He conferred with them confidentially. At each important turn of events, he and they always got together in a secret powwow. As early as February twentieth, when Lincoln seemed to be breaking down with grief and anxiety, one of those secret conferences of the high conspirators ended in a determination to employ all their forces, direct and indirect, to bring about McClellan's retirement. They were all victims ...

— Lincoln • Nathaniel Wright Stephenson

... forget them,' said Ah Moy, deeply contrite. 'Carried away by excitement, your abject slave considered but lightly what he then so foolishly said, and now so fervently regrets—and—and—let's drop this powwow, Quong Lee. I have no time for it! I tell you, man, I ...

— The Statesmen Snowbound • Robert Fitzgerald

... the row, would look out an' smile, an' Dave would wave his big hat an' whoop from glee. If he starts toward 'em, aimin' for a powwow—which he does frequent, bein' a mighty amiable gent that a-way—they carols forth a squawk immediate an' shets the door. Dave goes on. Mebby he gives the door a kick or two, a-proclaimin' ...

— Wolfville Days • Alfred Henry Lewis

... was talking to Bob Brewster. "High, you're the best I ever stacked up against, exceptin' one, and it's right curious that he is just a-ridin' into this powwow. If you want to see what real shootin' is, ...

— Jim Waring of Sonora-Town - Tang of Life • Knibbs, Henry Herbert

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