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Tomahawk
TOMAHAWKTOMAHAWK appears to derive from the Algonquian tamahawk, or cutting utensil. The earliest English reference to the word came from John Smith, who indicated that it could mean "axe" or "war club." Over time the term came to denote metal trade hatchets rather than other forms. Tomahawks were among the most popular items Europeans brought to the fur trade. Innumerable varieties developed, from simple hand-forged tomahawks to those elaborately inlaid with precious metals; some featured a spike or hammer head opposite the blade. Spontoon tomahawks had a spearlike blade, suitable for war, not woodcutting. One of the most popular types was the pipe tomahawk, featuring a pipe bowl opposite the blade and a handle drilled through to allow for smoking. Metal trade tomahawks became much prized throughout North America, and were widespread in eastern North America by 1700. Their spread coincided with growth in the fur and hide trade. Tomahawks coexisted with older forms of clubs and hybrid weapons well into the nineteenth century. While very popular with both Indians and white settlers, tomahawks and other hand weapons were increasingly reduced to a ceremonial role in Native American life by the advent of repeating firearms in the mid-nineteenth century. Symbolically, tomahawks remain synonymous with North American Indian warriors and warfare. BIBLIOGRAPHYHartzler, Daniel D., and James A. Knowles. Indian Tomahawks and Frontiersman Belt Axes. Baltimore: Windcrest, 1995. Peterson, Harold L. American Indian Tomahawks. Rev. ed. New York: Heye Foundation, 1971. Robert M.Owens See alsoIndian Trade and Traders . |
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"Tomahawk." Dictionary of American History. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Tomahawk." Dictionary of American History. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3401804223.html "Tomahawk." Dictionary of American History. 2003. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3401804223.html |
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tomahawk
tom·a·hawk / ˈtäməˌhôk/ • n. a light ax used as a tool or weapon by American Indians. • v. [tr.] strike or cut with or as if with a tomahawk. ORIGIN: early 17th cent.: from a Virginia Algonquian language. |
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"tomahawk." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "tomahawk." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-tomahawk.html "tomahawk." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-tomahawk.html |
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tomahawk
tomahawk ˈtäməˌhôk n. a light ax used as a tool or weapon by American Indians.
v. strike or cut with or as if with a tomahawk. |
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"tomahawk." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "tomahawk." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-tomahawk.html "tomahawk." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-tomahawk.html |
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Tomahawk
Tomahawk BGM-109 a versatile, long-range cruise missile with surface or air launching capability, carrying a nuclear or conventional warhead. It has wings that protrude during flight after the initial rocket burn that extend its effective range.
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Cite this article
"Tomahawk." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Tomahawk." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-Tomahawk.html "Tomahawk." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-Tomahawk.html |
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tomahawk
tomahawk XVII. of Algonquian orig.
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T. F. HOAD. "tomahawk." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "tomahawk." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-tomahawk.html T. F. HOAD. "tomahawk." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-tomahawk.html |
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tomahawk
tomahawk
•auk, baulk, Bork, caulk (US calk), chalk, cork, dork, Dundalk, Falk, fork, gawk, hawk, Hawke, nork, orc, outwalk, pork, squawk, stalk, stork, talk, torc, torque, walk, york
•pitchfork • nighthawk • goshawk
•mohawk • sparrowhawk • tomahawk
•back talk • peptalk • beanstalk
•sweet-talk • crosstalk • small talk
•smooth-talk • catwalk • jaywalk
•cakewalk • space walk
•sheep walk, sleepwalk
•skywalk • sidewalk • crosswalk
•boardwalk • rope-walk
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"tomahawk." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "tomahawk." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-tomahawk.html "tomahawk." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-tomahawk.html |
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