English Explanatory Dictionary

mana

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. Power, prestige; specifically, a form of supernatural energy in Polynesian religion that inheres in things or people.
  2. Magical energy.
noun
  1. Alternative form of mina (“ancient unit of weight or currency”).
noun
  1. Alternative spelling of manna.

Pronunciation

/ˈmɑː.nə/ /ˈmæ-/ /ˈmɑ.nə/ En-us-mana.ogg /ˈmana/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Pohewatanga-mana (NZ English).wav

Word forms

mana manas

Etymology

Borrowed from Māori mana, ultimately from Proto-Polynesian *mana, from Proto-Oceanic *mana. The use of "mana" for "magical energy" in role-playing games originated from Larry Niven, when he wrote the short story, "Not Long Before the End", in 1969. It was later popularised by his The Magic Goes Away setting.

Derived words

mana flood mana glut manaism mana point mana screw mana shuffle mana weave
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