wampum
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[edit] English
[edit] Etymology
Abbreviated from wampumpeag; falsely analysed as ‘wampum’ + ‘peag’; from ‘wamp’ ("white") + ‘umpe’ ("string") + ‘ag’ (plural suffix), in reference to the string of white shell-beads and not the individual beads.
[edit] Pronunciation
IPA: /'wɒmpəm/
[edit] Noun
wampum (uncountable)
- Small beads made from polished shells, formerly used as money and jewelry by certain Native American peoples
- (informal) Money

