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sachem

sachem

1 9.9
A leader of some Native American tribes, especially the Algonquian people
  • noun
  • /ˈseɪkəm/
  • US
translation icon : sachem
  • As the sachem, she made important decisions for her people during meetings with other leaders.
  • sachem and chief

Examples

  • 65. The sachems assented to the superintendent's actions.

    Academic text (1993)
  • That afternoon, fifty-nine war chiefs and sachems signed the treaty, bringing to an end Pickering's assignment.

    Academic text (1995)
  • In this instance, Johnson was acting like a traditional sachem.

    Academic text (1993)
  • When war started, the sachems stepped down and war leaders took over.

  • Yet another time, Johnson presented the names of the young men recently appointed sachems.

    Academic text (1993)
  • An Onondaga sachem responded on August 23:

    Academic text (2007)
  • Will the Sachem's judgment be honored?

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Hendrick, who some have argued was an Iroquois sachem, probably saw Johnson as a useful ally.

    Academic text (1993)
  • The principal sachems, chiefs, and warriors of the Six Nations, Chapin, and two interpreters were present.

    Academic text (1995)
  • The sachem of the tribe addressed the gathered community about the upcoming harvest festival.

Synonyms

chieftain
vssachem
20 7.9

A person who leads a group like a tribe or clan

refers specifically to leaders of Algonquian North American peoples
tribal chief
vssachem
3 4.7

A person who leads a group of people in a traditional community

is narrower, naming leaders within certain Algonquian communities
Indian chief
vssachem
3 4.2

A leader of a Native American tribe

is used for leaders specifically in some Algonquian tribes
cacique
vssachem
1 9.9

A native leader who makes decisions for a village or tribe

applies instead to leaders among Algonquian peoples in North America
sagamore
vssachem
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A leader of a North American tribe, especially among Algonquian peoples

is the standard term for similar leaders in Algonquian groups
Indian chieftain
vssachem
8.9

A leader of a Native American tribe who guides the people

focuses on leaders among certain Algonquian peoples

How Powerful

sachem
  • US
1 9.9
leader
1.0
member
1.4

Surface Forms

sachem singular
sachems plural

Etymology

Sachem comes from an Algonquian word sâchim that meant 'chief' or 'leader', and it was the title for the head of a tribe. So, sachem still means a tribal leader who makes important decisions.