Reconstruction:Proto-Algonquian/wetempi

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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

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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From Proto-Algic *wetempe. The term either contains or was re-analysed in some descendant languages as containing the initial possessive prefix *we- (her, his, its) (Proto-Algic *weʔ-), which was removed in some descendant languages before other possessive prefixes were added. (In contrast, Wiyot added prefixes onto the full root word: Proto-Algic *wetempeWiyot duʔwɨ́tbɨt (her head).)

Noun

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*wetempi

  1. (her, his, its) head, (animal's) brain

Descendants

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descendants of this form and the medial *-ntep-:
  • Abenaki: wetep, metep (its head)
  • Cheyenne: hestàhpe, hehtáhpe (brain) (from *wetempi with pitch compensating for the lost nasal)
  • Cree: wihtihp / ᐃᐧᐦᑎᐦᑊ (iyhtihp, brain)
  • Atikamekw: wiritip (brain)
  • Fox: nîn-êtepi (my brain)
  • Miami: antepi (his brain) (from *-ntep-)
  • Ojibwe: niin-indib (my brain)

References

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  • Ives Goddard, Pre-Cheyenne *y, in In Honor of Mary Haas: From the Haas Festival Conference, page 352