Adjacent Words

potlatch definitions

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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: a ceremonial feast held by some Indians of the northwestern coast of North America (as in celebrating a marriage or a new accession) in which the host gives gifts to tribesmen and others to display his superior wealth (sometimes, formerly, to his own impoverishment)

Merriam Webster's

I. noun Etymology: Chinook Jargon patla?, from Nootka p?a??p?a? Date: circa 1861 1. a ceremonial feast of the American Indians of the northwest coast marked by the host's lavish distribution of gifts or sometimes destruction of property to demonstrate wealth and generosity with the expectation of eventual reciprocation 2. Northwest a social event or celebration II. verb Date: 1898 transitive verb 1. to give (as a gift) especially with the expectation of a gift in return 2. to hold or give a potlatch for (as a tribe or group) intransitive verb to hold or give a potlatch

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. (among N. American Indians) a ceremonial giving away or destruction of property to enhance status. Etymology: Chinook f. Nootka patlatsh gift

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Potlatch Pot"latch`, n. [Chinook potlatch, pahtlatch, fr. Nootka pahchilt, pachalt, a gift.] 1. Among the Kwakiutl, Chimmesyan, and other Indians of the northwestern coast of North America, a ceremonial distribution by a man of gifts to his own and neighboring tribesmen, often, formerly, to his own impoverishment. Feasting, dancing, and public ceremonies accompany it. 2. Hence, a feast given to a large number of persons, often accompanied by gifts. [Colloq., Northwestern America]