Definitions for potlatch

• Definition
• Anagrams (229)

potlatch pot·latch

Spelling: [pot-lach]

IPA: /ˈpɒt lætʃ/

Potlatch is a 8 letter English word. It's valid Scrabble word worth 15 points. It's valid Words with friends word worth 17 points.

You can make 229 anagrams from letters in potlatch (achloptt).

Definitions for potlatch

noun

1. (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.
2. Pacific Northwest. a party or celebration.

Origin of potlatch

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

Examples for potlatch

He had just returned from a Government “potlatch” at the Tulalip agency.

And that night at Lewis's they gave Howard Eaton a potlatch.

The potlatch was sentiment, and the Sun-dance was an actual poem.

We took materials for a potlatch,—leaf-tobacco, rice and sugar.

When he had secured a large accumulation of such things, he gave a potlatch.

Jim was very anxious that I should attend the closing-day of the potlatch.

Outside the Fort preparations were under way for a potlatch.

He sent a large canoe with eight paddle-men to take me to the potlatch.

potlatch (Give)konaway (every)sun (day)nesika (our)muckamuck.

Then he proceeds to invite all his friends, up and down the coast, to a potlatch.