Reconstruction:Proto-Algonquian/neʔθwi

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.

Proto-Algonquian

**Proto-Algonquian cardinal numbers**
< 2	3	4 >
Cardinal : *neʔθwi

Alternative forms

*neʔɬwi (alternative orthography)

Etymology

Probably from the same Proto-Algic root as Wiyot rik- (dik-) (“three”) and Yurok nahkse(C) (“three”). Compare Proto-Algic *nikhšeme· (“thrice, three times”), whence Wiyot rikhbé (dikhbé), Yurok nahksemi (“three times”).

It has been observed that "the numbers from ‘one’ to ‘five’ all contain a semantically empty initial (root) *ny-, realized as *ne- before a consonant".^[1]

Numeral

*neʔθwi

three (3)

Descendants

Plains Algonquian:
- Blackfoot: niuóka (“three (when counting)”)
- Cheyenne: na'ha (“three times, thrice”)
Central Algonquian:
- Menominee: nɛqniw (“three”)
- Ojibwe: niswi (“three”), alternatively nisin (“three”) NW, niso (“three”) WO (likely a Cree loanword).
- Fox: nethwi (“three”)
- Miami: nihswi (“three”)
Eastern Algonquian: *nəhxwi (“three”)
- Abenaki: nas (“three”)
- Malecite-Passamaquoddy: nihi (“three”)
- Mohegan-Pequot: shwi (“three”)
- Munsee: nxáh (“three”)
- Unami: naxa (“three”)
- probably Pamlico nish-wonner (“three”)

References

Bloomfield (1946)
Ningewance, Patricia M. Zagataagan: A Northern Ojibwe Dictionary. Anishaabemowin Ikidowinan gaa-niibidebii'igaadegin dago gaye ewemitigoozhiibii'igaadegin (2009)

^ Essays in Algonquian, Catawban, And Siouan Linguistics →ISBN, 2003), page 98: "the numbers from ‘one’ to ‘five’ all contain a semantically empty initial (root) *ny-, realized as *ne- before a consonant (PA *nye- and *ni- do not occur), and *-w-i is descriptively segmentable."

[1] Essays in Algonquian, Catawban, And Siouan Linguistics →ISBN, 2003), page 98: "the numbers from ‘one’ to ‘five’ all contain a semantically empty initial (root) *ny-, realized as *ne- before a consonant (PA *nye- and *ni- do not occur), and *-w-i is descriptively segmentable."

[1]