pemmican
UK[ˈpemɪkən]US[ˈpemɪkən]
n
a concentrated food consisting of dried lean meat pounded into a paste with melted fat and sometimes berries, originally made by native north americans.
n
something that is very condensed or concentrated, especially information or writing.
Etymology
the word 'pemmican' is a direct borrowing from the cree word 'pimîhkân', which itself is derived from 'pimî', meaning 'fat, grease'. the term entered the english lexicon in the late 18th century through the accounts of explorers, fur traders, and settlers in north america who encountered this high-energy, portable food staple. it originally referred specifically to the indigenous preparation of dried meat, fat, and sometimes berries, prized for its long shelf life and nutritional density. by the 19th century, its meaning extended metaphorically in english to describe any substance or, more commonly, information that is similarly compressed and concentrated.
Analysis
this word is a loanword from cree, an algonquian language. it is not segmentable into meaningful morphemes using english or classical language roots.
Examples
the explorers relied on pemmican for sustenance during the long arctic winter.
his report was a pemmican of data, dense with facts but difficult to digest quickly.
traditional pemmican was often stored in rawhide bags called parfleches.