Reconstruction:Proto-Algonquian/-no·na·kan-

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

Noun

*-no·na·kan-

1. breast

Synonyms

• *-θeni (“breast”)

Related terms

• *no·nwa
• *no·nle·wa (“she breastfeeds him/her”)

Descendants

• Plains Algonquian:
  • possibly Blackfoot uniki (“milk”), úniki(s) (“breast”)
  • possibly Arapaho: niinéét (“nipple”)
• Central Algonquian:
  • Menominee: no·na·kan (“nipple; teat; breast (of a woman)”)
  • Potawatomi: nonogin (“breast, teat”)
  • Fox: nônâkani (“breast, teat; nipple”) (whence nônâkanâpowi (“(breast) milk”, literally “breast water”))
• Eastern Algonquian:
  • Unami: nunakàn (“woman's breast; milk”)

Compare Abenaki nonoz (“nipple; breast”), Ojibwe nooni', noozh (“breastfeed (a baby)”).

References

• David Costa, The Dialectology of Southern New England Algonquian, Papers of the 38th Algonquian Conference 81-127 (edited by H. C. Wolfart) (2007)