wampum
/'wɔmpəm/
Definition
- Noun:
- Small cylindrical beads made from polished shells and fashioned into strings or belts; used by certain Native American peoples as jewelry or currency: Wampum refers to traditional beads, typically white or purple, crafted from specific shells. These beads were strung together or woven into belts and served important cultural, ceremonial, diplomatic, and economic functions among various Indigenous peoples of northeastern North America.
- Informal terms for money: In modern, informal American slang, "wampum" is used humorously or colloquially to refer to money in general.
Examples of Usage
- Noun (Historical/Cultural):
- The treaty was symbolized by the exchange of a wampum belt.
- Wampum beads were highly valued for trade and communication.
- Noun (Informal/Slang):
- I can't go out tonight; I'm short on wampum.
- He made a lot of wampum from that business deal.
Advanced Usage
- "Shell wampum": Specifies the material, distinguishing it from other forms of beadwork or currency.
- The museum displayed ancient shell wampum from the 17th century.
- "Wampum belt": Refers specifically to the belts woven with wampum beads that recorded treaties, laws, and historical events.
- The wampum belt told the story of the alliance between the nations.
Variants and Related Words
- Peag (n): Another term for wampum beads, particularly the white beads.
- Seawan (n): A historical term used for wampum, especially in Dutch colonial contexts.
Synonyms
- Beads (for the physical objects).
- Cash, dough, bucks (for the informal meaning of money).
Related Phrases
- "To make wampum": To earn money (informal/slang).
- I need to get a job to make some wampum.
Related Idioms
- "Shell out the wampum": A playful, informal idiom meaning to pay money.
- If you want the best seats, you'll have to shell out the wampum.
Noun
-
small cylindrical beads made from polished shells and fashioned into strings or belts; used by certain Native American peoples as jewelry or currency
-
informal terms for money
