tomahawk

Where does the word "tomahawk" come from? It comes from Powhatan (Algonquian) tamahaac, and was adopted directly into English (1600s).

Tomahawk’s story begins in Powhatan (Algonquian): tamahaac meant “a light axe.” The name for a light axe used as a tool and weapon. It reached English by 1600s as tomahawk. Powhatan 'tamahaac', a cutting tool; colonists later traded iron tomahawk heads. Today, tomahawk means a light axe traditionally used as a tool or weapon by Native Americans.

1. Stage 1 · Powhatan (Algonquian) · pre-1600s tamahaac "a light axe", the name for a light axe used as a tool and weapon.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1600s tomahawk "a light axe used as a tool or weapon", Powhatan 'tamahaac', a cutting tool; colonists later traded iron tomahawk heads.