wampum

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[edit] English

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[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

Singular
wampum

Plural
wampums or wampum

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