Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A long-stemmed sacred or ceremonial tobacco pipe used by certain Native American peoples.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A kind of tobacco-pipe used by the Indians of North America.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun A kind of pipe, used by the North American Indians for smoking tobacco. The bowl is usually made of soft red stone, and the tube is a long reed often ornamented with feathers.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun A clay tobacco-pipe used by American Indians, especially as a symbol of truce or peace.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun a highly decorated ceremonial pipe of Amerindians; smoked on ceremonial occasions (especially as a token of peace)

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Canadian French, from French dialectal, straw, from Late Latin calamellus, diminutive of Latin calamus, reed, from Greek kalamos.]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

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.

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Examples

  • A boy was standing beside her with a bow and arrow, on the reverse was a group of indians seated under an oak tree, smoking the long feathered and beaded pipe, which they call the calumet of peace.

    The Travellers 1825

  • This bird has often been called the calumet eagle and war-eagle; the last of which appellations I have already accounted br; and the other has arisen from the fact, that the Indians almost invariably ornament their calumets or pipes of peace with its quills.

    Letters and notes on the manners, customs, and conditions of the North American Indians 1841

  • The "calumet" ceremony has, therefore, an historic interest for us, apart from its revelation of the religious beliefs and social ideals of the Indian.

    Indian Story and Song from North America 1880

  • It was to the priestly bearer of this particular "calumet" that the parents appealed.

    Indian Story and Song from North America 1880

  • During the "calumet" ceremony among the Pawnees, if a child cried and would not be comforted, its parents were permitted to appeal to the "calumets" for help.

    Indian Story and Song from North America 1880

  • Upon reaching the child, the golden eagle "calumet" was gently swayed above it, while in the background the other "calumet" was waved to ward off disturbing influences, and the priests sang this song.

    Indian Story and Song from North America 1880

  • Colorado (an ironic name for the town, since a "calumet" is a Native-American peace pipe) when their teacher notices something strange happening outside.

    Epinions Recent Content for Home 2008

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    A Complete List Of Starbucks Locations That Will Be Closing - The Consumerist 2008

  • Wisconsin Brewery Tour altbier aran madden barriques brewery profile brewfarm cellar series chris staples craft distilled spirits fauerbach fresh hops industry lost abbey monroe st bistro old fashioned pairings point brewery prices rowland's calumet saison sand creek style study thanksgiving thermo refur underage drinking wine badger porter baltic porter beer games best of 2008

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  • Wisconsin Brewery Tour bells brewery profile cellar series craft fauerbach fresh hops jt whitneys lake louie mbr meet-up news old fashioned pairings point brewery prices pricing rowland's calumet saison thanksgiving thermo refur underage drinking wine altbier aran madden baltic porter barriques beer games best of 2008

    Madison Beer Review Presents Beer Talk Today 2009

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