marabout

noun

mar·​a·​bout ˈmer-ə-ˌbü How to pronounce marabout (audio)
ˈma-rə-
often capitalized
: a dervish in Muslim Africa believed to have supernatural power

Examples of marabout in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
He felt harassed by the taunts of jealous friends back home, taunts transmitted by a marabout, a seer or sorcerer. Julian Baggini, WSJ, 3 May 2022 The daaras are powerful institutions and the marabouts can influence the way people vote in elections. The Economist, 11 June 2019 And on his head sat a tall, traditional straw hat adorned with red-tainted leather, given to him by his uncle on the advice of the marabout. Christian Bobst, National Geographic, 26 Mar. 2019 Many marabouts, or religious teachers, respect children’s rights. The Economist, 13 June 2019 Although fighters arrive in the arena clad in tracksuits that resemble American boxers, underneath are lucky charms prescribed by the increasingly influential marabouts. Christian Bobst, National Geographic, 26 Mar. 2019 By her grace Zandria Robinson is a shaman, griot, marabout, holy figure in atypical package. Tunde Wey, San Francisco Chronicle, 15 Dec. 2017 Words to know: le marabout: witch doctor a) Witch doctors are gloomy but marvellous. Henry Alford, The New Yorker, 4 June 2017 Words to know: le marabout: witch doctor a) Witch doctors are gloomy but marvellous. Henry Alford, The New Yorker, 4 June 2017

Word History

Etymology

French, from Portuguese marabuto, from Arabic murābiṭ

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of marabout was in 1600

Dictionary Entries Near marabout

Cite this Entry

“Marabout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/marabout. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.

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