Reconstruction:Proto-Algonquian/a·kema

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

*a·kema

1. snowshoe

Derived terms

• *a·kema·xkwa (“white ash tree”)

Descendants

• Central Algonquian:
  • Menominee: a·kem (“snowshoe”) (older orthography: a'kamok)
  • Ojibwe: aagim (“snowshoe”)
  • Atikamekw: asam (“snowshoe”)
  • Potawatomi: agmose'
  • Fox: âkema
• Eastern Algonquian:
  • Mi'kmaq: aqam
  • Abenaki: ôgem (“snowshoe”)
  • Penobscot: the second part of (ud)ɑ'ŋgəma (“(his) snowshoes”)
  • Malecite-Passamaquoddy: akom (“snowshoe”)
  • Mohegan-Pequot: ôkum (“snowshoe”)

Compare [Alberta] Cree asâm/ᐊᓵᒼ (asaam, “snowshoe”) and askimew/ᐊᐢᑭᒣᐤ (askimew, “she or he is lacing snowshoes”), Naskapi asaam (“snowshoe”), Atikamekw asam, Southern East Cree ᐊᓵᒻ (asaam), Northern East Cree ᐊᓵᒻ (asaam), Moose Cree asâm and Montagnais assime·w (“she laces a snowshoe”), the latter from Old Montagnais ayaškimew (“snowshoe-netter”) (whence English Eskimo).

References

• Ives Goddard, The Eastern Algonquian Intrusive Nasal, in the International Journal of American Linguistics, 31:3 (1965)
• Berman, Howard (1992) “A Restriction on the Shape of Proto-Algonquian Nouns”, in International Journal of American Linguistics, volume 58, number 3, Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, →JSTOR