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ma·na

(mänə)

1. A supernatural force believed to dwell in a person or sacred object.

2. Power; authority.

[Maori, from Proto-Polynesian *mana (compare Hawaiian and Tongan mana), from Proto-Oceanic *mana, storm wind, power in natural phenomena; compare Fijian mana, supernatural power, and Varisi (Oceanic language of southeastern coastal Papua New Guinea) mana, wind.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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