Definition

1. Noun:
   • A member of the Ho-Chunk (Winnebago) people: Refers to an individual belonging to a Native American tribe originally from the region around Green Bay, Wisconsin, and parts of Iowa, Nebraska, and Minnesota.
   • The Siouan language spoken by the Ho-Chunk (Winnebago) people: Refers to the language traditionally spoken by this tribe, part of the Siouan language family.

Usage Examples

• Noun (referring to a person): The museum exhibit honors a Winnebago leader from the 19th century. She is a Winnebago artist known for her traditional beadwork.

• Noun (referring to the language): Efforts are underway to revitalize the Winnebago language among younger generations. Fewer than a dozen elders are fluent speakers of Winnebago.

Advanced Usage

• Historical Context: The term "Winnebago" is an exonym (a name given by outsiders). The people's own name for themselves is "Ho-Chunk," meaning "People of the Big Voice" or "People of the Sacred Language." In contemporary contexts, "Ho-Chunk" is often the preferred term.

Variants and Related Words

• Ho-Chunk: The preferred autonym (self-designated name) for the Winnebago people and their language.

Synonyms

• Ho-Chunk (for the people or the language).

Notes on Different Meanings

• Note on Modern Usage: The word "Winnebago" is also a well-known brand name for recreational vehicles (RVs). This is a separate, commercial usage derived from the tribe's name and is not related to the original meaning of the word as defined here.

Noun

1. the Siouan language spoken by the Winnebago
2. a member of the Siouan-speaking people formerly living in eastern Wisconsin south of Green Bay; ally of the Menomini and enemy of the Fox and Sauk people