Reconstruction:Proto-Algonquian/maneto·wa

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

*maneto·wa

1. a supernatural being (a god or a supernaturally powerful person or animal)

• Central Algonquian:
  • Plains Cree: manitôw
  • Montagnais: manitoːw
  • Menominee: manɛ·to·w (“game animal (other than a bird)”)
  • Ojibwe: manidoo (“spirit, god”)
  • Fox: manetôwa (“snake; spirit or god”)
  • Shawnee: maneto (“snake; supernatural being”)
  • Miami: manetoowa (“devil, evil spirit, monster”), and possibly also manetwa, minetwa (“falling snow”)
• Eastern Algonquian: *manətōw
  • Mi'kmaq: məndu
  • Mohegan-Pequot: manto
    • → French: manitou
  • Munsee: manutoow (/manə́toːw/)
  • Unami: manëtu (/manətːu/)
    • Pidgin Delaware: Manétto
      • → English: manitou

• Goddard (1982)
• Costa, David J. (2003) The Miami-Illinois Language (Studies in the Native Languages of the Americas), Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, →ISBN
• Algonquian Spirit, edited by Brian Swann (2005)