Definition of
Voodoo
- (noun, artifact) a charm superstitiously believed to embody magical powers
- (noun, cognition) a religious cult practiced chiefly in Caribbean countries (especially Haiti); involves witchcraft and animistic deities
- (noun, group) (Haiti) followers of a religion that involves witchcraft and animistic deities
- (verb, communication) bewitch by or as if by a voodoo
via WordNet, Princeton University
Alternate forms of Voodoo
Derivations: voodoo
Hyponyms: hoodoo
Hypernyms: bewitch, charm, cult, cultus, enchant, glamour, good luck charm, hex, jinx, religious cult, witch
Origin of the word Voodoo
- religious witchcraft of Haiti and Southern U.S., ult. of African origin, 1850, from Louisiana Fr. voudou, from a W.African language (e.g. Ewe and Fon vodu "spirit, demon, deity," also Vandoo, supposedly the name of an African deity, from a language of Dahomey). Cf. vodun "fetish connected with snake worship in Dahomey," said to be from vo "to … more
via Online Etymology Dictionary, ©2001 Douglas Harper