Reconstruction:Proto-Algonquian/mexkena·hkwa

This Proto-Algonquian entry contains reconstructed terms and roots. As such, the term(s) in this entry are not directly attested, but are hypothesized to have existed based on comparative evidence.

Proto-Algonquian

Alternative forms

• *meʔšixkena·hkwa
• *meʔkena·hkwa(?)

Noun

*mexkena·hkwa

1. snapping turtle

Descendants

• Plains Algonquian:
  • probably Arapaho bä'änaⁿ
  • probably Gros Ventre bä'änou
  • Cheyenne: ma'ēno (“turtle”)
• Central Algonquian:
  • Cree miskinâhk (“turtle”)
  • Atikamekw: mikinakw
  • Montagnais: missinakᵘ
  • Menominee: mehkɛ·na·h (“big turtle”), mæhkǣnah
  • Ojibwe: mikinaak (“a snapping turtle”)
• Eastern Algonquian
  • Mi'kmaq: migjigc
  • Malecite-Passamaquoddy: mikcikc
  • Penobscot: ámihkənahkʷ (“snapping turtle”)

References

• Siebert (1941)
• In Honor of Mary Haas →ISBN, edited by William Shipley, 1988): lists "PA *mexkena-hkwa 'snapping turtle'"
• David Costa, The Historical Phonology of Miami-Illinois Consonants, in the International Journal of American Linguistics, volume 57: lists both "*meʔšixkena·hkwa" and "*mexkena·hkwa"
• Cheyenne Dictionary of Fisher, Leman, Pine, and Sanchez: lists both "*mexkena·hkwa" and "*meʔkena·hkwa"