Reconstruction:Proto-Algonquian/ka·kwa

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

Etymology

The term seems to be *k + *-a·kw- (+ the animate ending *-a).

Noun

*ka·kwa

1. porcupine, Canadian porcupine

Descendants

• Plains Algonquian:
  • possibly Arapaho hoo (“porcupine”)
• Central Algonquian:
  • Southern East Cree: ᑳᒄ (kaakw)
  • Northern East Cree: ᑳᒄ (kaakw)
  • Montagnais: kakᵘ
  • Atikamekw: kakw
  • Naskapi: ᑲᒄ (kakw)
  • Plains Cree: kâkwa/ᑳᑲᐧ (“porcupine”)
    • (loan:) English: cawquaw

• • Ojibwe: gaag (“porcupine”)
  • Ottawa: gaak
  • Fox: akâkwa (“porcupine”)
  • Miami: aakaawita
  • Potawatomi: gak
• Eastern Algonquian:
  • Abenaki: kôgw (“porcupine”)
  • Penobscot: kὰwi
  • Mohegan-Pequot: kôq (“porcupine”)

See also

• *wa·kwehsa (“fox”)
• *šeka·kwa (“skunk”)

References

• Bulletin: Anthropological series, issue 78 (1967), page 21: "PA *ka·kwa 'porcupine' (Erethizon dorsatum), (PA *-a·kw- 'bushy-tailed animal')."
• 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