Priest-doctor (Noun)
Meaning
In societies practicing shamanism: one acting as a medium between the visible and spirit worlds; practices sorcery for healing or divination.
Classification
Nouns denoting people.
Examples
- The village elder sought the guidance of the priest-doctor to interpret the dreams that had been haunting her for weeks.
- In many ancient cultures, the priest-doctor was believed to possess the power to communicate with the spirits of the ancestors.
- The priest-doctor performed a ritual dance to heal the sick child, calling upon the spirits to guide his hands.
- The community relied on the priest-doctor to provide them with insight into the future and to ward off evil spirits.
- After years of training, the young apprentice was finally recognized as a priest-doctor, with the ability to heal and divine for his people.