babaylan

noun

ba·​bay·​lan
variants or babailan
ˌbäbīˈlän
 or babalyan
-bəlˈyän
 or babalian
-bəlēˈän
plural babaylanes
-äˌnās
in central and southern Philippines
: a pagan priest, priestess, or medium

Word History

Etymology

of Philippine origin; akin to Tagbanuwa babalyan, from balyan mediumship, esoteric religious skill

First Known Use

1900, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of babaylan was in 1900

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Dictionary Entries Near babaylan

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Cite this Entry

“Babaylan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/babaylan. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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