obi
obi Lexical Profile
obi Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A wide, decorative sash or belt worn around the waist over a traditional Japanese kimono or martial arts uniform.
"She carefully tied a silk obi decorated with gold embroidery around the waist of her formal kimono."
A removable paper strip looped around the spine or cover of a book, vinyl record, or compact disc (especially in Japan) containing promotional details, pricing, and bibliographic information.
"Collectors of vintage Japanese vinyl records pay a premium for albums that still include the original paper obi."
A traditional system of folk magic, sorcery, and religious healing of West African origin practiced in parts of the Caribbean (also known as Obeah), or a charm, fetish, or amulet used within this practice.
"Anthropologists studying colonial Caribbean folklore documented various local beliefs surrounding the power of the obi."
• Rhymes for obi
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the early 17th century from Japanese 'obi' (literally 'belt' or 'sash'), derived from the verb 'obiru' (to wear at the waist). The Caribbean spiritual sense is a variant of 'Obeah', stemming from West African languages such as Igbo 'obia' (herbalist or healer) and Twi 'obayifo' (sorcerer).
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.