sagamore

[ sag-uh-mawr, ‑-mohr ]

noun

1. (among the American Indians of New England) a chief or leader.

sagamore

/ ˈsæɡəˌmɔː /

noun

1. (among some North American Indians) a chief or eminent man Also calledsachem

Word History and Origins

Origin of sagamore¹

1605–15, Americanism; < Eastern Abenaki sὰkəmα < Proto-Algonquian *sa˙kima˙wa; sachem

Word History and Origins

Origin of sagamore¹

C17: from Abnaki sāgimau, literally: he overcomes

Example Sentences

Winds of Thunder, the tribe’s sagamore, or chief of chiefs, called the land its “spiritual high grounds” and said it wants the land back because it was its principal village.

From Seattle Times

His bearing was frank and fearless, as became a sagamore.

From Project Gutenberg

His bearing makes him conspicuous among a score of famous sagamores who are leading the assault.

From Project Gutenberg

Micmac sagamore; became a convert to Christianity in extreme old age.

From Project Gutenberg

His sway as grand sagamore of the Micmac nation extended from Gaspe to Cape Sable.

From Project Gutenberg