potlatch

pot·latch

P p

Transcription

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
- [pot-lach]
- /ˈpɒt lætʃ/
- /ˈpɑːˌt.lætʃ/

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [pot-lach]
- /ˈpɒt lætʃ/

Definitions of potlatch word

noun potlatch (among American Indians of the northern Pacific coast, especially the Kwakiutl) a ceremonial festival at which gifts are bestowed on the guests and property is destroyed by its owner in a show of wealth that the guests later attempt to surpass. 1
noun potlatch Pacific Northwest. a party or celebration. 1
noun potlatch a competitive ceremonial activity among certain North American Indians, esp the Kwakiutl, involving a lavish distribution of gifts and the destruction of property to emphasize the wealth and status of the chief or clan 0
noun potlatch a wild party or revel 0
noun potlatch among some American Indians of the N Pacific coast, 0
noun potlatch a winter festival 0

See all 7 definitions of potlatch

Information block about the term

Origin of potlatch

First appearance:

before 1835

One of the 34% newest English words

1835-45; < Chinook Jargon pátlač, páλač < Nootka p̉aλp̉a- (reduplication of p̉a- make ceremonial gifts in potlatch) + -č suffix marking iterative aspect

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Potlatch

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

Full grammatical hierarchy of Potlatch

potlatch popularity

A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 68% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.

This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.

potlatch usage trend in Literature

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Synonyms for potlatch

noun potlatch

clambake — A clambake is a picnic at which clams and other food are served.
fest — an assembly of people engaged in a common activity (often used in combination): filmfest; gabfest; love-fest; poetry fest.
feast — any rich or abundant meal: The steak dinner was a feast.
jollification — jolly merrymaking; jolly festivity.

All 4 Synonyms of potlatch