Get the FREE one-click dictionary software for Windows
or the iPhone/iPad and Android apps
Noun: sachem  sey-chum
  1. A chief of a North American tribe or confederation (especially an Algonquian chief)
    "The sachem negotiated a peace treaty with the neighbouring tribes";
    - sagamore
     
  2. A political leader (especially of Tammany Hall)
    "The sachem wielded considerable influence in New York City politics"

Derived forms: sachems

Type of: Indian chief, Indian chieftain, pol [N. Amer, informal], political leader, politician, politico [informal], pollie [Austral, informal], polly [Austral, informal]

Encyclopedia: Sachem