Reconstruction:Proto-Algonquian/no·nle·wa

This Proto-Algonquian entry contains reconstructed words and roots. As such, the term(s) in this entry are not directly attested, but are hypothesized to have existed based on comparative evidence.

Proto-Algonquian

Verb

*no·nle·wa

(plural *no·nle·waki (“they breastfeed them”))

she breastfeeds him/her

Related terms

*-no·na·kan- (“breast”)
*no·nwa

Descendants

taking this form as representative of the whole paradigm and (for now, at least) also of the related term "to breastfeed, suck a breast":

Plains Algonquian:
- Cheyenne: -néh (“breastfeed someone, nurse someone”), -néne (“suck on a breast”)
Central Algonquian:
- Menominee: no·new (“s/he is breastfeeding, s/he sucks at the breast”)
- Cree: nôhew / ᓅᐦᐁᐤ (noohew, “she breastfeeds her/him”), nôniw / ᓅᓂᐤ (nooniw, “s/he is breastfeeding, s/he sucks at the breast”)
- Ojibwe: noonaawaso (“she breastfeeds a baby”)
- Miami: noonteewa (“she breastfeeds her/him, she nurses her/him”), noonši (“nurse him!”)
Eastern Algonquian:
- Abenaki: noni, noz- (“suckle, breastfeed (a baby)”)
- Unami: nune (“she/he sucks (a breast)”)

References