Wiktionary:Word of the day/2023/November 24

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wampum n (originally and chiefly US)

(uncountable) Small cylindrical beads made from polished shells (especially white ones) which have been strung together, formerly used by Native American peoples of eastern North America for various purposes including as jewellery and money, and for record-keeping; (countable, archaic) one such bead. (uncountable, slang) Money. (countable, obsolete) Short for wampum snake (“the common kingsnake or eastern kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula)”) Today, the day after Thanksgiving, is celebrated as Native American Heritage Day in the United States.

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