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sachem (n.)

chief of a Native American tribe, 1620s, from Narragansett (Algonquian) sachim "chief, ruler," cognate with Abenaki sangman, Delaware sakima, Micmac sakumow, Penobscot sagumo. Applied jocularly to a prominent member of any society from 1680s; specific political use in U.S. is from 1890, from its use as the title of the 12 high officials of the Tammany Society of New York.

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Definitions of sachem from WordNet

sachem (n.)
a political leader (especially of Tammany Hall);
sachem (n.)
a chief of a North American tribe or confederation (especially an Algonquian chief);
Synonyms: sagamore
From wordnet.princeton.edu