wampum

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Noun 1.3.1 Derived terms

[edit] English

Wikipedia

[edit] Etymology

Abbreviated from wampumpeag; 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.

[edit] Pronunciation

• IPA: /'wɒmpəm/

[edit] Noun

wampum (plural wampums or wampum)

1. Small beads made from polished shells, formerly used as money and jewelry by certain Native American peoples.
2. (informal) Money.

[edit] Derived terms

• wampum belt