List of English words from Indigenous languages of the Americas explained
This is a list of English language words borrowed from Indigenous languages of the Americas, either directly or through intermediate European languages such as Spanish or French. It does not cover names of ethnic groups or place names derived from Indigenous languages.
Most words of Native American/First Nations language origin are the common names for indigenous flora and fauna, or describe items of Native American or First Nations life and culture. Some few are names applied in honor of Native Americans or First Nations peoples or due to a vague similarity to the original object of the word. For instance, sequoias are named in honor of the Cherokee leader Sequoyah, who lived 2,000 miles (3,200 km) east of that tree's range, while the kinkajou of South America was given a name from the unrelated North American wolverine.
Words from Algonquian languages
See also: List of Algonquin ethnonyms and List of Algonquian personal names.
Since Native Americans and First Nations peoples speaking a language of the Algonquian group were generally the first to meet English explorers and settlers along the Eastern Seaboard, many words from these languages made their way into English.
In addition, many place names in North America are of Algonquian origin, for example: Mississippi (cf. and Ojibwa: misiziibi, "great river," referring to the Mississippi River)[1] [2] and Michigan (cf., Ojibwa: label=Ojibwe|Mishigami, "great sea," referring to Lake Michigan).[3] Canadian provinces and U.S. states, districts, counties and municipalities bear Algonquian names, such as Québec, Ottawa, Saskatchewan, Nantucket, Massachusetts, Naugatuck, Connecticut, Wyoming, District of Keewatin, Outagamie County, Wisconsin and Chicago, Illinois, or Algonquian-derived names, such as Algoma.
Furthermore, some indigenous peoples of the Americas groups are known better by their Algonquian exonyms, rather than by their endonym, such as the Eskimo (see below), Winnebago (perhaps from winpyéko|lit=(people of the) dirty water),[4] Sioux (ultimately from naadowesiwag), Assiniboine (Ojibwa: asiniibwaan|lit=stone Sioux|label=Ojibwe) and Chipewyan (Cree: script=Latn|čīpwayān|lit=(those who have) pointed skins or hides).[5]
- Apishamore (definition): From a word in an Algonquian language meaning "something to lie down upon"[6] (c.f. Ojibwe Ojibwa: apishimon).
Atamasco lily (definition): Earlier "attamusca", from Powhatan.[7] [8]
Babiche (definition): From Míkmaq ápapíj (from ápapi, "cord, thread", Proto-Algonquian *aʔrapa·pyi, from *aʔrapy-, "net" + *-a·by-, "string".[9]
Caribou (definition): From Míkmaq qalipu, "snow-shoveler" (from qalipi, "shovel snow", Proto-Algonquian *maka·ripi-).[10]
Caucus (definition): The etymology is disputed: two possible sources are an Algonquian word for "counsel", 'cau´-cau-as´u'; or the Algonquian, meaning an advisor, talker, or orator.[11]
Chinkapin (definition): From Powhatan chechinquamins,[12] reconstituted as pronounced as /
/, the plural form.[13]
Chipmunk (definition): Originally "chitmunk," from Odawa jidmoonh[14] pronounced as //t͡ʃɪtmő// (c.f. Ojibwe ajidamoo(nh)), "American red squirrel".
Cisco (definition): Originally "siscowet," from Ojibwe language bemidewiskaawed "greasy-bodied [fish]".[15]
Eskimo (definition): From Old Montagnais aiachkimeou (pronounced as /[aːjast͡ʃimeːw]/; modern ayassimēw), meaning "snowshoe-netter" (often incorrectly claimed to be from an Ojibwe word meaning "eaters of raw [meat]"), and originally used to refer to the Mikmaq.[16] [17]
Hackmatack (definition): From an Algonquian language akemantak (c.f. Ojibwe aagimaandag), "snowshoe boughs".
Hickory (definition): From Powhatan , "milky drink made with hickory nuts".[18] [19]
Hominy (definition): From Powhatan /, literally "that which is treated", in this case "that which is ground/beaten".[20]
Husky (definition): Ultimately from a variant form of the word "Eskimo" (see above).
Kinkajou (definition): From an Algonquian word meaning "wolverine" (c.f. Algonquin kwingwaage, Ojibwe gwiingwa'aage), through French .[21]
Kinnikinnick (definition): From Unami Delaware pronounced as //kələkːəˈnikːan//, "mixture" (c.f. Ojibwe "to mix something animate with something inanimate"), from Proto-Algonquian *kereken-, "mix (it) with something different by hand".[22]
Mackinaw (definition): From, from Menomini mishilimaqkināhkw, "be large like a snapping turtle", or from Ojibwe mishi-makinaak, "large snapping turtle" with French, "island".
Moccasin (definition): From an Algonquian language, perhaps Powhatan ,[23] reconstituted as pronounced as /
/[24] (c.f. Ojibwe makizin, Míkmaq mɨkusun, from Proto-Algonquian *maxkeseni).[25]
Moose (definition): From Eastern Abenaki moz, reinforced by cognates from other Algonquian languages[26] [27] (e.g. Massachusett/Narragansett moos, Ojibwe moo(n)z, Lenape mus 'elk'[28]), from Proto-Algonquian *mo·swa.
Mugwump (definition): From "mugquomp", a shortening of Massachusett , "war chief" (Proto-Algonquian *memekwa·pe·wa, from *memekw-, "swift" + *-a·pe·, "man").[29]
Muskellunge (definition): Ultimately from Ojibwe, "ugly pike" (c.f. ginoozhe, "pike").
Muskeg (definition): From Cree, "swamp"[30] (Proto-Algonquian *maškye·kwi).[31]
Muskrat (definition): A folk-etymologized reshaping of earlier "musquash", from Massachusett (c.f. Western Abenaki mòskwas), apparently from Proto-Algonquian *mo·šk, "bob (at the surface of the water)" + *-exkwe·-, "head" + a derivational ending).
Opossum (definition): From Powhatan //, "white dog-like animal",[32] reconstituted as pronounced as /
/[33] (c.f. Proto-Algonquian pronounced as /
/, "white dog").[34] [35]
Papoose (definition): From Narragansett [36] or Massachusett , "baby".[37]
Pecan (definition): From Illinois pakani (c.f. Ojibwe bagaan), "nut", from Proto-Algonquian *paka·ni.[38]
Pemmican (definition): From Cree pimihkān, from pimihkēw, "to make grease" (Proto-Algonquian *pemihke·wa, from *pemy-, "grease" + -ehke·, "to make").[39]
Persimmon (definition): From Powhatan /, reconstituted as pronounced as /
/.[40] While the final element reflects Proto-Algonquian *-min, "fruit, berry", the initial is unknown.[41]
Pipsissewa (definition): From Abenaki kpipskwáhsawe, "flower of the woods".[42]
Pokeweed (definition): Probably from "puccoon" (see below) + "weed".
Pone (definition): From Powhatan /, "something roasted" (reconstituted as pronounced as /
/)[43] (c.f. Ojibwe abwaan), from Proto-Algonquian *apwa·n.[44]
Powwow (definition): From Narragansett powwaw, "shaman" (Proto-Algonquian *pawe·wa, "to dream, to have a vision").[45]
Puccoon (definition): From Powhatan , reconstituted as pronounced as /
/[46] (c.f. Unami Delaware pronounced as /[pɛːkɔːn]/, 'red dye; the plant from which dye is made').[47] [48]
Pung: A low box-like sleigh designed for one horse. Shortened form of "tom-pung" (from the same etymon as "toboggan") from an Algonquian language of Southern New England.[49]
Punkie (definition): Via Dutch, from Munsee pronounced as /[ponkwəs]/ (Proto-Algonquian *penkwehsa, from *penkw-, "dust, ashes" + *-ehs, a diminutive suffix).[50]
Quahog (definition): From Narragansett .[51]
Quonset hut (definition): From an Algonquian language of southern New England, possibly meaning "small long place" (with , "long" + <-s->, diminutive + <-et>, locative).[52]
Raccoon (definition): From Powhatan /,[53] tentatively reconstituted as pronounced as /
/.[54]
Sachem (definition): From an Algonquian language of southern New England,[55] c.f. Narragansett <sâchim> (Proto-Eastern Algonquian *sākimāw, "chief").[56]
Sagamore (definition): From Eastern Abenaki sakəma (c.f. Narragansett <sâchim>), "chief", from Proto-Eastern Algonquian *sākimāw.
Scup (definition): Shortened from scuppaug, which is from Narragansett mishcùppaûog.[57]
Shoepac (definition): From Unami Delaware pronounced as /[t͡ʃipahkɔ]/ "shoes" (singular pronounced as /[t͡ʃiːpːakw]/), altered on analogy with English "shoe".[58]
Skunk (definition): From Massachusett (Proto-Algonquian *šeka·kwa, from *šek-, "to urinate" + *-a·kw, "fox").[59]
Squash (fruit) (definition): From Narragansett .[60]
Squaw (definition): From Massachusett (c.f. Cree iskwē, Ojibwe ikwe), "woman", from Proto-Algonquian *eθkwe·wa.
Succotash (definition): From Narragansett , "boiled whole kernels of corn" (Proto-Algonquian *mesi·nkwete·wari, singular *mesi·nkwete·, from *mes-, "whole" + *-i·nkw-, "eye [=kernel]" + -ete·, "to cook").[61]
Tabagie (definition): From Algonquin .[62]
Tautog (definition): From Narragansett tautaũog.[63]
Terrapin (definition): Originally "torope," from an Eastern Algonquian language, perhaps Powhatan (reconstituted as pronounced as /
/)[64] (c.f. Munsee Delaware pronounced as //toːlpeːw//),[65] from Proto-Eastern Algonquian *tōrəpēw.[66]
Toboggan (definition): From Míkmaq topaqan[67] or Maliseet-Passamaquoddy pronounced as //tʰaˈpakən//[68] (Proto-Algonquian *weta·pye·kani, from *wet-, "to drag" + *-a·pye·-, "cordlike object" + *-kan, "instrument for").
Tomahawk (definition): From Powhatan (Proto-Algonquian *temaha·kani, from *temah-, "to cut" + *-a·kan, "instrument for").[69]
Totem (definition): From Ojibwe nindoodem, "my totem" or odoodeman, "his totem," referring to a kin group.[70]
Tuckahoe (definition): From Powhatan //, "root used for bread", reconstituted as pronounced as /
/[71] (perhaps from Proto-Algonquian *takwah-, "pound (it)/reduce (it) to flour").[72]
Tullibee (definition): From Old Ojibwe pronounced as /
/[73] (modern odoonibii).
Wampum (definition): Earlier "wampumpeag", from Massachusett, and meaning "white strings [of beads]" (c.f. Maliseet: wapapiyik,[74] Eastern Abenaki wápapəyak, Ojibwe waabaabiinyag), from Proto-Algonquian *wa·p-, "white" + *-a·py-, "string-like object" + *-aki, plural.[75] [76]
Wanigan (definition): From Ojibwa, "storage pit".[77]
Wapiti (elk) (definition): From Shawnee waapiti, "white rump" (c.f. Ojibwe waabidiy), from Proto-Algonquian *wa·petwiya, from *wa·p-, "white" + *-etwiy, "rump".[78]
Wickiup (definition): From Fox wiikiyaapi, from the same Proto-Algonquian etymon as "wigwam" (see below).[79]
Wigwam (definition): From Eastern Abenaki wìkəwam (c.f. Ojibwe wiigiwaam), from Proto-Algonquian *wi·kiwa·Hmi.[80]
Woodchuck (definition): Reshaped on analogy with "wood" and "chuck", from an Algonquian language of southern New England (c.f. Narragansett , "woodchuck").[81]
Words from Nahuatl
Unless otherwise specified, French: [http://sites.estvideo.net/malinal/ Dictionnaire de la langue nahuatl classique]|italic=no is among the sources used for each etymologyWords of Nahuatl origin have entered many European languages. Mainly they have done so via Spanish. Most words of Nahuatl origin end in a form of the Nahuatl "absolutive suffix" (Nahuatl languages: -tl, Nahuatl languages: -tli, or Nahuatl languages: -li, or the Spanish adaptation Spanish; Castilian: -te), which marked unpossessed nouns.
- Achiote (definition): from Nahuatl languages: āchiotl in Nahuatl languages pronounced as /aːˈt͡ʃiot͡ɬ/
Atlatl (definition): from Nahuatl languages: ahtlatl in Nahuatl languages pronounced as /ˈaʔt͡ɬat͡ɬ/
Atole (definition): from Nahuatl languages: atōlli in Nahuatl languages pronounced as /ˈaːtoːlli/
Avocado (definition): from Nahuatl languages: āhuacatl, 'avocado' or 'testicle' in Nahuatl languages pronounced as /aːˈwakat͡ɬ/, via Spanish aguacate and later avocado (influenced by early Spanish abogado 'lawyer')[82]
Axolotl (definition): Nahuatl languages: āxōlōtl in Nahuatl languages pronounced as /aːˈʃoːloːt͡ɬ/, via Spanish, ultimately from Nahuatl languages: ā-, 'water' + Nahuatl languages: xōlōtl, 'male servant'[83]
Aztec (definition): from Nahuatl languages: aztecatl 'coming from Aztlan', via Spanish Azteca[84]
Cacao (definition) and Cocoa (definition): from Nahuatl languages: cacahuatl in Nahuatl languages pronounced as /kaˈkawat͡ɬ/
Chayote (definition): from Nahuatl languages: chayohtli in Nahuatl languages pronounced as /t͡ʃaˈjoʔt͡ɬi/
Chia (definition): from Nahuatl languages: chiyan in Nahuatl languages pronounced as /ˈt͡ʃi.jan/
Chicle (definition): from Nahuatl languages: tzictli in Nahuatl languages pronounced as /ˈt͡sikt͡ɬi/
Chili (definition): from Nahuatl languages: chīlli in Nahuatl languages pronounced as /ˈt͡ʃiːlːi/[85]
Chipotle (definition): from Nahuatl languages: chilpoctli 'smoked chili', from chili + poctli 'smoke'[86]
Chocolate (definition): Often said to be from Nahuatl Nahuatl languages: xocolātl or Nahuatl languages: chocolātl,[87] which would be derived from Nahuatl languages: xococ 'bitter' and Nahuatl languages: ātl 'water' (with an irregular change of x to ch).[88] However, the form Nahuatl languages: xocolātl is not directly attested, and Nahuatl languages: chocolatl does not appear in Nahuatl until the mid-18th century. Some researchers have recently proposed that the Nahuatl languages: chocol- element was originally Nahuatl languages: chicol-, and referred to a special wooden stick used to prepare chocolate.[89]
Copal (definition): from Nahuatl languages: copalli[90]
Coyote (definition): from Nahuatl languages: coyōtl via Spanish[91]
Epazote (definition): from Nahuatl languages: epazōtl
Guacamole (definition): from Nahuatl languages: āhuacamōlli, from Nahuatl languages: āhuaca-, 'avocado', and Nahuatl languages: mōlli, 'sauce', via Mexican Spanish[92]
Hoatzin (definition): from Nahuatl languages: huāctzin[93]
Jicama (definition): from Nahuatl languages: xicamatl
Mesquite (definition): from Nahuatl languages: mizquitl in Nahuatl languages pronounced as /ˈmiskit͡ɬ/, via Spanish mezquite[94]
Mezcal (definition): from Nahuatl languages: mexcalli in Nahuatl languages pronounced as /meʃˈkalːi/ Nahuatl languages: metl in Nahuatl languages pronounced as /met͡ɬ/ and Nahuatl languages: ixcalli in Nahuatl languages pronounced as /iʃˈkalːi/ which mean 'oven cooked agave.'[95]
Mole (definition): from Nahuatl languages: mōlli in Nahuatl languages pronounced as /ˈmoːlːi/, 'sauce'
Nixtamalization (definition): from Nahuatl languages: nixtamalli
Nopal (definition): from Nahuatl languages: nohpalli in Nahuatl languages pronounced as /noʔˈpalːi/, 'prickly pear cactus', via American Spanish[96]
Ocelot (definition): from Nahuatl languages: ocēlōtl in Nahuatl languages pronounced as /oːˈseːloːt͡ɬ/ 'jaguar', via French[97]
Ocotillo (definition): from ocotl 'pine, torch made of pine', via Mexican Spanish ocote + diminutive -illo[98]
Peyote (definition): from Nahuatl languages: peyōtl in Nahuatl languages pronounced as /ˈpejoːt͡ɬ/. Nahuatl probably borrowed the root Nahuatl languages: peyō- from another language, but the source is not known.[99]
Pinole (definition): from Nahuatl languages: pinolli, via Spanish
Quetzal (definition): from Nahuatl languages: quetzalli in Nahuatl languages pronounced as /keˈt͡salːi/, 'quetzal feather'.[100]
Sapodilla (definition): from Nahuatl languages: tzapocuahuitl
Sapota (definition): from Nahuatl languages: tzapotl in Nahuatl languages pronounced as /ˈt͡sapot͡ɬ/
Shack (definition): possibly from Nahuatl languages: xahcalli in Nahuatl languages pronounced as /ʃaʔˈkalːi/, 'grass hut', by way of Mexican Spanish.[101]
Sotol (definition): from Nahuatl languages: tzotolli[102]
Tamale (definition): from Nahuatl languages: tamalli in Nahuatl languages pronounced as /taˈmalːi/, via Spanish tamal. The Spanish plural is tamales, and the English derives from a false singular tamale.[103]
Tequila
from Nahuatl languages: téquitl 'work' + Nahuatl languages: tlan 'place'
- Tlacoyo (definition): from Nahuatl languages: tlahtlaōyoh in Nahuatl languages pronounced as /t͡ɬɑʔt͡ɬɑˈoːjoʔ/
Tomato (definition): from Nahuatl languages: tomatl in Nahuatl languages pronounced as /ˈtomat͡ɬ/, via Spanish tomate. The change from tomate to tomato was likely influenced by the spelling of potato[104]
Tule (definition): from Nahuatl languages: tōllin in Nahuatl languages pronounced as /ˈtoːlːin/, 'reed, bulrush'
Words from Quechua
Unless otherwise specified, Words in English from Amerindian Languages is among the sources used for each etymology
A number of words from Quechua have entered English, mostly via Spanish, adopting Hispanicized spellings.
- Ayahuasca (definition): from aya "corpse" and waska "rope", via Spanish
Cachua (definition): from qhachwa
Chinchilla(definition)
possibly from Quechua. May be from Spanish chinche
- Chuño (definition): from ch'uñu
Coca (definition): from kuka, via Spanish
Cocaine (definition): from kuka (see above), probably via French
Condor (definition): from kuntur, via Spanish
Gran Chaco (definition): from chaku, "hunt"
Guanaco (definition): from wanaku
Guano (definition): from wanu via Spanish
Inca (definition): from Inka "lord, king"
Jerky (definition): from ch'arki, via Spanish
Lagniappe (definition): from yapay, "add, addition", via Spanish (with the definite article la).
Lima (definition): from rimay, "speak" (from the name of the city, named for the Rimaq river ("speaking river"))
Llama (definition): from llama, via Spanish
Lucuma (definition): from lukuma, via Spanish[105]
Mashua (definition): from maswa
Pampa (definition): from pampa, "a large plain", via Spanish
Pisco (definition): from pisqu, "bird"
Puma (definition): from puma, via Spanish
Quinine (definition): from kinakina, via Spanish
Quinoa (definition): from kinwa, via Spanish
