sacajawea
sacajawea Lexical Profile
• noun
A Lemhi Shoshone woman (c. 1788–1812) who accompanied the Lewis and Clark Expedition across the western United States from 1805 to 1806 as an indispensable interpreter and guide.
"During the expedition across the Rocky Mountains, Sacajawea helped secure horses from her native Shoshone tribe and identified edible roots along the trail."
Word Nuance & Usage
The spelling and pronunciation of her name are subjects of historical debate: 'Sacagawea' (pronounced with a hard 'g') reflects the Hidatsa etymology adopted by U.S. federal agencies and scholars, whereas 'Sacajawea' (pronounced with a 'j' sound) reflects a Shoshone tradition popularized in early 20th-century literature.
• Rhymes for sacajawea
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Usually traced to the Hidatsa words 'tsakáka' (bird) and 'wía' (woman), as recorded in the Lewis and Clark journals, though an alternative Shoshone folk etymology links it to a word meaning 'boat launcher'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.