mattauntum
Narragansett
Etymology
Cognate to Massachusett mahtântam, mohtantam (“he is old, decrepit”),[1] literally "failing-minded" or "poorly-minded",[2] from maht- (“passing on”) + -antam (suffix indicating a mental state). Also compare Massachusett mahtsheau (“it fails, perishes, fades”).
Adjective
mattaûntum
- very old and decrepit
References
- James Hammond Trumbull (1903), “mahtântam”, in Natick Dictionary, Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, OCLC 1038122077, page 47
- F. O'Brien & J. Jennings (2001) Introduction to the Narragansett Language, Newport: Aquidneck Indian Council, LCCN 2001116679, page 86
Further reading
- Roger Williams (1643) A Key into the Language of America, London: Gregory Dexter, OCLC 41412195, page 27