wampumpeag

/ˈwɒmpəmpiːɡ/

Etymology

Borrowed from Massachusett wampompeage (“string of white beads used as money”), from wamp, wap, wompi (“white”) + *umpe (“string”) + -ag (plural suffix). Compare peag (“string of white beads used as money”), also a clipping of wampumpeag. Cognates Penobscot wʌ̃pʌ̃pəyak (singular wʌ̃pʌ̃pi)

noun

Synonym of wampum (“small cylindrical beads made from polished shells (especially white ones) which have been strung together, formerly used by Native American peoples of eastern North America for various purposes including as jewellery and money, and for record-keeping”).“[A] Sagamore with a Humberd in his eare for a pendant, a black havvke on his occiput for his plume, Movvhackees for his gold chaine, good ſtore of VVampompeage begirting his loynes, his bovv in his hand, his quiver at his back, vvith ſix naked Indian ſplatterlaſhes at his heeles for his guard, thinkes himſelfe little inferiour to the great Cham; hee vvill not ſtick to ſay, hee is all one vvith Kin”