See also: medicine-man (def. 1a)
- 1803  (1897)  The affair went on very slowly, and it was not without many speeches, smoking-matches, and persuasive arguments, that the medicine-tent was prepared.
- 1939  The inner, or "medicine" tent, was enclosed by a great outer tent one hundred feet in circumference covered with the leather lodge coverings borrowed from the assembled tribes.
2 among Indians, a small, hut-like structure used by a medicine man (def. 1a) to demonstrate his magical powers by freeing himself from bonds and conversing with spirits.
See also: conjurer's lodge medicine-man (def. 1a)
- 1859  (1870)  There are Indian conjurors who will allow themselves to be bound from head to foot with nets, cords, straps, or anything; then, entering their small "medicine tent," it is seen to heave violently for about five minutes . . . and the wizard steps forth perfectly free.