chinquapin

Where does the word "chinquapin" come from? It comes from Virginia Algonquian (Powhatan) chechinquamin, and was adopted directly into English (1610s).

Chinquapin’s story begins in Virginia Algonquian (Powhatan): chechinquamin meant “a small edible chestnut-like nut.” Named the small edible nut of a dwarf chestnut tree. It reached English by 1610s as chinquapin. Recorded by English colonists, including Captain John Smith, in early Virginia accounts. Today, chinquapin means a small tree of the chestnut family native to North America, or its edible nut.

1. Stage 1 · Virginia Algonquian (Powhatan) · pre-1620s chechinquamin "a small edible chestnut-like nut", named the small edible nut of a dwarf chestnut tree.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1610s chinquapin "a small native chestnut tree and its nut", recorded by English colonists, including Captain John Smith, in early Virginia accounts.