Friday, 11 November 2022

The Amerindian roots of the word 'terrapin'

'Terrapin' is a word borrowed from Amerindian 'terrapin'. The word entered the English language some time around 1613.


terrapin [noun] [1613]
  • any of various aquatic turtles (family Emydidae)
  • diamondback terrapin
See 'terrapin' on the Loan Words Map

See more loan words from Amerindian.

Etymology: Alteration of earlier 'torope' from Virginia Algonquian '*to·rəpe·w'
See more loan words from 1600s.


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