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Sagamore

2 stages from Eastern Abenaki to English.

Today it means historically, a chief or leader among Algonquian peoples of the northeastern United States; later used as an honorary or jocular title

Where does the word "sagamore" come from? It comes from Eastern Abenaki sakəma, adopted directly into English (1613).

sakəma→sagamore

Eastern Abenaki · pre-1600s

"a chief or leader"

named a lesser chief elected to lead a single band, related to Proto-Algonquian 'sakima·wa'

English · 1613

"a chief among northeastern Algonquian peoples"

adopted by English colonists in New England to describe local Algonquian leaders

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