a supernatural being that controls nature; a spirit, deity, or object that possesses supernatural power
Also: manito (ˈmænɪˌtou), manitu (ˈmænɪˌtuː)
Word origin
[1605–15; ‹ Unami Delaware monə́t⋅u, reinforced by or reborrowed from Ojibwa manito⋅ and other cognates (all ‹ Proto-Algonquian *maneto⋅wa); sp. influenced by equivalent F word]