mohawk
UK[ˈməʊ.hɔːk]US[ˈmoʊ.hɑːk]
n
a hairstyle in which the head is shaved except for a strip of upright hair from the forehead to the nape of the neck.
n
a member of a native american people originally from the mohawk river valley in new york state.
n
the iroquoian language of the mohawk people.
Etymology
the word 'mohawk' entered the english language in the 17th century as an exonym, a name given by outsiders. it was adopted from the narragansett term 'mohowawog', which referred to their iroquoian neighbors and carried the meaning of "man-eaters". this label likely reflected the fear and respect inspired by the mohawk warriors, who were a powerful member of the iroquois confederacy. over time, the term was anglicized to 'mohawk' and became the standard english name for both the people and their language. the iconic hairstyle, popularized in the late 20th century, derives its name from the mohawk people, as it was perceived to resemble traditional hairstyles worn by some mohawk and other iroquois warriors, thus creating a direct cultural and visual link.
Analysis
this is a simplex loanword. it originates from the name of the mohawk people, borrowed into english from the algonquian language narragansett, where 'mohowawog' meant "man-eaters" or "cannibals".
Examples
he styled his hair into a bright green mohawk for the punk rock concert.
the mohawk nation is one of the six founding nations of the iroquois confederacy.
she is learning to speak mohawk to connect with her cultural heritage.