watap

[ wuh-tahp, wa- ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a thread made by North American Indians from the divided roots of certain conifers and used in weaving and sewing.

watap

/ wɑː-; wæˈtɑːp /

a stringy thread made by North American Indians from the roots of various conifers and used for weaving and sewing

Origin of watap¹

First recorded in 1800–05; from Canadian French watap, from an Algonquian language, e.g., Ojibwe wadab or Narragansett wattap “tree root”

Origin of watap¹

C18: from Canadian French, from Cree watapiy

Thus placed, they were all firmly lashed with strong cords of watap, by means of holes pierced in the bottom plank.

In a country, therefore, where hemp and flax cannot be readily procured, the “watap” is of great value.

These threads are as strong as the best cords of hemp, and are known among the Indians by the name of “watap.”

The watap, wet or dry, does not yield, and has therefore been found to be the best thing of all others for this purpose.

April 19, 2024tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

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