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A Key Into the Language of America, or an Help to the Language of the Natives in That Part of America Called New-England / Together with Briefe Observations of the Customes, Manners, and Worships, &c. of the Aforesaid Natives, etc. cover

A Key Into the Language of America, or an Help to the Language of the Natives in That Part of America Called New-England / Together with Briefe Observations of the Customes, Manners, and Worships, &c. of the Aforesaid Natives, etc.

Chapter 31: CHAP. IX.
By Roger Williams
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About This Book

The work presents a practical lexicon of Indigenous words from New England, offering English equivalents, pronunciation hints, and variant spellings alongside brief notes on usage. Entries are arranged in dictionary-style lists and paired with concise observations about local customs, social practices, place names, and forms of worship, often illustrated by examples and cross-references. Interspersed commentary reflects the compiler's encounters and aims to aid communication and comprehension between English speakers and the native population. The text also includes introductory material on method and occasional polemical or explanatory remarks about cultural differences.


CHAP. IX.

Of the time of the day.

Obs: They are punctuall in measuring their Day by the Sunne, and their Night by the Moon and the Starres, and their lying much abroad in the ayre; and so living in the open fields, occasioneth even the youngest amongst them to be very observant of those heavenly lights.

Mautàbon, Chicháuquat wompan, It is day.
Ampatâuban, It is broad day.
Touwuttúttan? How high is the Sunne? that is, What is’t a clocke?
Páshisha, It is Sunne-rise.
Nummáttaqúaw, Fore-noone.
Yahen Paushaqúaw, Allmost noone.
Páweshaquaw, Noone.
Quttùkquaquaw, After dinner.
Panicómpaw,
Nawwâuwqaw, After-noone.
Yo wuttúttan, The Sunne thus high.
Yahen wàiyàuw, Allmost Sun-set.
Wayaàwi, The Sun is set.
Wunnáuquit, Evening.
Póppakunnetch, auchaugotch, Darke night.
Túppaco, and Otematíppocat, Toward night.
Nanashowatíppocat, Midnight.
Chouóeatch, About Cockcrowing.
Kitompanisha, Breake of day.
Yó Tàunt nipéean, The Sun thus high, I will come.

Obs: They are punctuall in their promises of Keeping time; and sometimes have charged mee with a lye for not punctually keeping time, though hindred.

Yo tàunt cuppeeyâumen, Come by the Sunne thus high.
Anamakéesuck, This day.
Saûop, To morrow.
Wussâume tátsha, It is too late.
Tiaquockaskéesakat, A short day.
Quawquonikéesakat, A long day.
Quawquonikeesaqútcheas, Long dayes.
Nquittakeesiquóckat,      } One dayes walke.
Nquíttakeespúmmishen, }
Paukúnnum, Darke.
Wequâi, Light.
Wequáshim, Moon-light.

The general Observation from their time of the Day.

The Sunne and Moone, in the observation of all the Sonnes of Men, even the wildest, are the great Directors of the day and night; as it pleased God to appoint in the first Creation.

More particular.

1. The Indians find the Sun so sweet,
He is a God they say;
Giving them light, and heat, and fruit,
And guidance all the day.
2. They have no helpe of Clock or Watch,
And Sunne they overprize.
Having those artificiall helps, the Sun
We unthankfully despise.
3. God is a sunne and shield,
A thousand times more bright
Indians, or English, though they see
Yet how few prize his light.