šiihšiikwia

Miami

Etymology

Initial syllable reduplication for šiih. Ultimately from Proto-Algonquian *ši·ʔši·y (“gourd, rattle”). Compare *šiᐧʔšiᐧkwani (“rattle”). Cognate with Ojibwe zhiishiigwe, Plains Cree sîsîkwêw, Potawatomi zhishigwé, Unami shixikwe, Penobscot síhsihkʷe, Malecite-Passamaquoddy sissihq, Montagnais ushishikueu, Cheyenne šé'šenovȯtse.

Noun

šiihšiikwia inan (plural šiihšiikwiaki)

1. eastern massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus)

References

• https://mc.miamioh.edu/ilda-myaamia/dictionary/entries/8688