Reconstruction:Proto-Algonquian/ta·paw-

Rhodes and Costa write that "[e]vidence from Fox suggests that this was not originally a number word (see Goddard 2001: 173), as claimed by Siebert (1975: 308). […] Nonetheless, the existence of a Fox cognate guarantees a Proto-Algonquian source. Moreover, this root figures in the construction of words for 'seven' in certain Eastern languages", just like *nyi·šwi (“two”) figures in *nyi·šwa·šika (“seven”).

*ta·paw-^[1][2]

1. a particle of unclear meaning

• *ta·paw (“two, two of a kind”)
  • Eastern Algonquian:
    • Mi'kmaq: ta'pu (“two”)
    • Malecite-Passamaquoddy: tapu (“two (in counting)”) (perhaps borrowed from Mi'kmaq)
• *ta·pawa·ši (“seven”)^[3]
  • Eastern Algonquian:
    • Abenakian:
      • Abenaki: dôbawôz

        Sokoki: tbawz

      • Penobscot:

        Alnôbak: tabaúwus

    • Loup B: tanboens
    • Delawaran:
      • Mahican: tampawmns

        Moravian: tapauwaasch, tampawaunsh (Jefferson)

        Stockbridge: taupowwaus (Aupaumut), tupouwus (Edwards, Du Ponceau)

      • → Quiripi: túmpawa, tumpowa (perhaps borrowed from Munsee^[4])
    • Pamlico: toppoosh
    • Powhatan: toppawoss
• Unsorted formations:
  • Cree: (“seven”)

    Canadian syllabic script: ᑌᐸᑯᐦᑊ (tepakohp)

    Latin script: têpakohp

  • Fox: tâpô- (“side-by-side”)

• *nyi·šwi (“two”)