wampum
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Contents |
English [edit]
Etymology [edit]
Abbreviated from wampumpeag (from Narragansett); falsely analysed as ‘wampum’ + ‘peag’; from ‘wamp’ ("white") + ‘umpe’ ("string") + ‘ag’ (plural suffix), in reference to the string of white shell-beads and not the individual beads.
Pronunciation [edit]
- IPA: /ˈwɒmpəm/
Noun [edit]
wampum (plural wampums or wampum)
- Small beads made from polished shells, especially white ones, formerly used as money and jewelry by certain Native American peoples.
- (informal) Money.
Synonyms [edit]
Antonyms [edit]
- (white shells): suckanhock (black shells)
