Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
manitou
Noun
/ˈmæn.ɪ.tuː/
Definition
A spirit or supernatural force among the Algonquian peoples of North America.
Examples
- The river is believed to have a manitou that protects it.
- Many Native American tribes call upon the manitou for guidance in times of need.
Meaning
In Algonquian culture, ‘manitou’ refers to a spiritual power that can inhabit elements of the natural world, such as animals or plants, or it may represent a deity or ancestral spirit.
Synonyms
- spirit
- deity
- force
