Algonquin

[ al-gong-kin, -kwin ]

noun

, plural Al·gon·quins, (especially collectively) Al·gon·quin

1. a member of a group of North American Indian tribes formerly along the Ottawa River and the northern tributaries of the St. Lawrence River.
2. their speech, a dialect of Ojibwe, of the Algonquian family of languages.
3. Algonquian.

adjective

1. Algonquian.

Algonquin

/ -kwɪn; ælˈɡɒŋkɪn; ælˈɡɒŋkɪn /

noun

1. -quins-quin-kins-kin a member of a North American Indian people formerly living along the St Lawrence and Ottawa Rivers in Canada
2. the language of this people, a dialect of Ojibwa

noun

1. a variant of Algonquian

Word History and Origins

Origin of Algonquin¹

First recorded in 1615–25; from French; earlier Algoumequin, presumably from an Algonquian language

Word History and Origins

Origin of Algonquin¹

C17: from Canadian French, earlier written as Algoumequin; perhaps related to Micmac algoomaking at the fish-spearing place

Example Sentences

Some scholars believe the now-offensive term originated from the Algonquin language, which was spoken by many tribes on the East Coast, and originally meant “woman,” but was later corrupted by European colonists.

From Los Angeles Times

Some say it’s from the Algonquin for ‘the good land.’

From New York Times

Years after my summer camp days have passed, the smell of the pine forests in northern Ontario’s Algonquin Park is still with me.

From Seattle Times

Her first novel, “Liquid, A Love Story,” comes out in March from Algonquin.

From Los Angeles Times

Colonial Americans adopted some of these names, drawing primarily from Algonquin tribes who lived in the northeastern U.S.

From Los Angeles Times