laplas

English

Etymology

From Haitian Creole laplas, from French la place.

Noun

laplas (plural laplas)

1. (voodoo) The assistant to a houngan or mambo.
   • 1953, Maya Deren, Divine Horsemen, McPherson & Company, published 2004, page 156:

     The la-place is, in a sense, master of ceremonies for the houngan.

   • 1995, Marilyn Houlberg, in Cosentino (ed.), Sacred Arts of Haitian Vodou, South Sea International Press 1998, p. 277:

     The laplas and the two flag bearers followed Divié all around the poto mitan a number of times as he did this.

   • 2007, Kevin Filan, The Haitian Vodou Handbook, Destiny Books, page 48:

     The reine dwapo and the laplas swing the flags and the sword and salute the cardinal points and the congregation.

Alternative forms

• la-place

Anagrams

• Pallas

Haitian Creole

Etymology

From French la place (“town square”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /laplas/

Noun

laplas

1. square, plaza
2. Clipping of komandan laplas.

Descendants

• → English: lapas