voodoo

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a charm superstitiously believed to embody magical powers
  2. noun (Haiti) followers of a religion that involves witchcraft and animistic deities
  3. noun a religious cult practiced chiefly in Caribbean countries (especially Haiti); involves witchcraft and animistic deities

Etymology

From Louisiana Creole voudou, from Haitian Creole Vodou, from a West African language, such as Ewe vódũ (“deity, idol”), Fon vòdún (“fetish”) or the Kwa languages vodũ.

In classic literature

Synonyms

juju, hoodoo, fetish, fetich

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