Reconstruction:Proto-Algonquian/wa·p-aʔθemwa

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

Alternative forms

• *wa·p-aʔɬemwa (alternative orthography)
• *wa·p-aʔθemw- (*wa·p-aʔɬemw- (alternative orthography))

Etymology

A compound of *wa·p- (“white”) +‎ *aθemwa (*aʔθemwa) (“dog”).

Noun

*wa·p-aʔθemwa

1. Literally "white dog". Used by different Algonquian languages as the name of different white animals.

Descendants

• Plains Algonquian:
  • Cheyenne: vóhpo'ha (“white horse”)
• Central Algonquian:
  • Cree: wâpatim/ᐋᐧᐸᑎᒼ (aaypatim, “white dog”), and possibly wapâstim/ᐊᐧᐹᐢᑎᒼ (aypaastim, “white dog or horse”)
  • Ojibwe: waabasim (“white dog”)
• Eastern Algonquian:
  • Unami: òpxàm (“white dog”)
  • Powhatan: aposoum (“white animal”)
    • → English: opossum, possum
      • → Irish: apasam (“opossum (American marsupial)”), pasam (“possum (Australian marsupial)”)

References

• Cheyenne Dictionary of Fisher, Leman, Pine, and Sanchez