outdusis

Penobscot

Etymology

The root outdu ("trail," "pathway") + the diminutive suffix -sis. Compare the (Western) Abenaki ôwdesis.

Noun

outdusis

1. (little) pathway, (little) path
2. (figuratively) (an individual's) nature, personal integrity (how that person behaves when no one else is around or when otherwise free from accountability)

Usage notes

Also written audesis.

References

• Frank G. Speck, Newell Lion (1918 August) “Penobscot Transformer Tales”, in International Journal of American Linguistics (in Penobscot), volume 1, number 3
• Penobscot Nation
• A Penobscot native named "outdusis"