gun`)--"Spruce-tree place," from na`na, spruce, tlu gun`i, or tsu
gun`i, a tree (standing) and yi, locative, 1. A traditional ancient
Cherokee settlement on the site of Jonesboro, Washington county,
Tenn. The name of Nolichucky river is probably a corruption of the
same word. 2. Nan-tsu gun, a place on Nottely river, close to its
junction with Hiwassee, in Cherokee county, N. C.
Nanehi--see Nunne`hi.
Nantahala--see Nundaye` li.
Nashville--see Dagu`nawe`lahi.
Natchez--see Ani`-Na'tsi.
Nats-asun`tlunyi (abbreviated Nats-asun`tlun)--"Pine-footing place,"
from na'tsi, pine, asun`tli or asun-tlun`i, footlog, bridge, and yi,
locative. A former Cherokee settlement, commonly known as Pinelog,
on the creek of the same name, in Bartow county, Georgia.
na'tsi--pine.
na`tsiku`--"I eat it" (tsi`kiu`, "I am eating").
na tu li--spicewood (Lindera benzoin).
Naye`hi--see Nunne`hi.
Nayunuwi--see Nunyunu`wi.
nehanduyanu`--a song form for nehadu`yanu`, an irregular verbal form
denoting "conceived in the womb."
Nellawgitehi--given as the name of a Lower Cherokee chief in 1684. The
correct form and meaning are both uncertain, but the final part seems
to be the common suffix didi`, "killer." Cf. Ta`gwadiahi`.
Nenetooyah--see Iskagua.
Nequassee--see Ki`kwasi`.
Nettecawaw--see Gatayu`sti.
Nettle-carrier--see Tale`danigi`ski.
New Echota, Newtown--see Itsa`ti.
Nickajack--see Nikutse`gi.
Nicotani--see Ani`-Kuta`ni.
Nikwasi` (or Nikwsi`)--an important ancient settlement on Little
Tennessee river, where now is the town of Franklin, in Macon county,
N. C. A large mound marks the site of the town-house. The name appears
in old documents as Nequassee, Nucassee, etc. Its meaning is lost.
Nikutse`gi (also Nukatse`gi, Nikwatse`gi, or abbreviated
Nikutseg`)--Nickajack, an important Cherokee settlement, about 1790,
on the south bank of Tennessee river, at the entrance of Nickajack
creek, in Marion county, Tenn. One of the Five Chickamauga towns (see
Tsikama`gi). The meaning of the word is lost and it is probably not
of Cherokee origin, although it occurs also in the tribe as a man's
name. In the corrupted form of "Nigger Jack," it occurs also as the
name of a creek of Cullasaja river above Franklin, in Macon county,
N. C.
Nilaque--see Amaye l-e`gwa.
Nolichucky--see Na`na-tlugun`yi.
Notchy--a creek entering Tellico river, in Monroe county, Tenn. The
name evidently refers to Natchez Indian refugees, who formerly lived
in the vicinity (see Ani`-Na'tsi).
Nottely--see Na`duli`.
nu--used as a suffix to denote "and," or "also"; u`le-nu, "and also"
na`ski-nu`, "and that," "that also."
Nucassee--see Nikwasi`.
nu`dunnelu`--he did so and so: an irregular form apparently connected
with the archaic forms adunni`ga, "it has just become so," and udunnu,
"it is matured, or finished."
Nugatsa`ni--a ridge sloping down to Oconaluftee river, below Cherokee,
in Swain county, N. C. An archaic form denoting a high ridge with a
long gradual slope.
nu`na--potato; the name was originally applied to the wild "pig potato"
(Phaseolus), now distinguished as mu`na igatehi, "swamp-dwelling
potato."
nun`da--the sun or moon, distinguished as unu`da` ige`hi, nun`da`
"dwelling in the day," and nun`da` sunna`yehi, nun`da "dwelling in
the night." In the sacred formulas the moon is sometimes called Ge
yagu`ga, or Su`talidihi, "Six-keller," names apparently founded upon
myths now lost.
nun`da`-dikani--a rare bird formerly seen occasionally in the
old Cherokee country, possibly the little blue heron (Floridus
cerulea). The name seems to mean "it looks at the sun," i. e.,
"sun-gazer," from nun`da`, sun, and da`ka na` or detsi`ka na, "I am
looking at it."
Nundawe`gi--see Ani`-Nundawe`gi.
Nun`daye li--"Middle (i. e., Noonday) sun," from nunda`, sun and
aye li, middle; a former Cherokee settlement on Nantahala river,
near the present Jarrett station, in Macon county, N. C., so-called
from the high cliffs which shut out the view of the sun until nearly
noon. The name appears also as Nantahala, Nantiyallee, Nuntialla,
etc. It appears to have been applied properly only to the point on the
river where the cliffs are most perpendicular, while the settlement
itself was known as Kanu`gu la`yi, "Briertown," q. v.
Nun`dagun`yi, Nunda`yi--the Sun land, or east; from nun`da`, sun, and
yi, locative. Used in the sacred formulas instead of di`galungun`yi,
"where it rises," the common word.
nun`gi--four. See hi`ski.
nungu la--see kanugu` la.
nunna`hi (abbreviated nunna)--a path, trail or road.
Nunna`hi-dihi` (abbreviated Nun`na-dihi`)--"Path-killer," literally,
"he kills (habitually) in the path," from nun`nahi, path, and ahihi`,
"he kills" (habitually); "I am killing," tsi`ihu`. A principal chief,
about the year 1813. Major John Ridge was originally known by the
same name, but afterward took the name, Gunun`da le`gi, "One who
follows the ridge," which the whites made simply ridge.
Nunna`hi-tsune`ga (abbreviated) Nunna-tsune`ga--"white-path,"
from nunna`hi, path, and tsune`ga, plural of une`ga, white; the
form is the plural, as is common in Indian names, and has probably
a symbolic reference to the "white" or peaceful paths spoken of in
the opening invocation at the green corn dance. A noted chief who
led the conservative party about 1828.
Nunne`hi (also Gunne`hi; singular Naye`hi)--a race of invisible spirit
people. The name is derived from the verb e`hu`, "I dwell, I live,"
e`hi`, "I dwell habitually," and may be rendered "dwellers anywhere,"
or "those who live anywhere," but implies having always been there,
i. e., "Immortals." It has been spelled Nanehi and Nuhnayie by
different writers. The singular form Naye`hi occurs also as a personal
name, about equivalent to Eda`hi, "One who goes about."
Nuniyu`sti--"potato-like," from nu`na, potato, and iyu`sti, like. A
flowering vine with tuberous root somewhat resembling the potato.
Nunyu`--rock, stone.
Nunyu`-gunwam`ski--"Rock that talks," from nunyu`, rock, and
tsiwa`nihu, "I am talking." A rock from which Talking-rock creek of
Coosawatee river, in Georgia, derives its name.
Nun`yunu`wi--contracted from Nunyu-unu`wi. "Stone-clad," from nunyu,
rock, and agwaun`wu, "I am clothed or covered." A mythic monster,
invulnerable by reason of his stony skin. The name is also applied
sometimes to the stinging ant, dasuntali atatsunski, q. v. It has
also been spelled Nayunuwi.
Nunyu`-tlu guni (or Nunyu-tsu gun`i)--"Tree-rock," a notable rock on
Hiwassee river, just within the N. C. line.
Nunyu`-twi`ska--"Slick rock," from nunyu`, rock, and twiska, smooth,
slick; the form remains unchanged for the locative. 1. Slick-rock
creek, entering Little Tennessee river just within the west line
of Graham county, N. C. 2. A place at the extreme head of Brasstown
creek of Hiwassee river, in Towns county, Ga.
Ocoee--see Uwaga`hi.
Oconaluftee--see Egwanul ti.
Oconee--see Ukwu`nu.
Oconostota--see Agansta`ta.
Old Tassel--see Utsi`dsata`.
Ooltewah--see Ultiwa`i.
Oostinaleh--see U`stana`li.
Oothealoga--see Uy`gila`gi.
Otacite, Otassite--see Outacity.
Otari, Otariyatiqui--mentioned as a place, apparently on the Cherokee
frontier, visited by Pardo in 1567. Otari seems to be the Cherokee
atari or atali, mountain, but the rest of the word is doubtful.
Ottare--see a`tali.
Owasta--given as the name of a Cherokee chief in 1684; the form cannot
be identified.
Ougillogy--see Uy`gila`gi.
Outacity--given in documents as the name or title of a prominent
Cherokee chief about 1720. It appears also as Otacite, Ottassite,
Outassatah, Wootassite and Wrosetasatow (!), but the form cannot
be identified, although it seems to contain the personal name suffix
diha`, "killer." Timberlake says: "There are some other honorary titles
among them, conferred in reward of great actions; the first of which
is Outacity or "Man-killer," and the second Colona or "The Raven."
Outassatah--see Outacity.
Owassa--see Ayuhwa`si.
Paint-town--see Ani`-Wa`dihi`.
Path-killer--see Nuna`hi-dihi`.
Phoenix, Cherokee--see Tsule`hisanun`hi.
Pigeon River--see Wayi.
Pine Indians--see Ani`-Na'tsi.
Pinelog--see Na ts-asun`tlunyi.
Qualatchee--a former Cherokee settlement on the headwaters of the
Chattahoochee river in Georgia; another of the same name was upon
the waters of Keowee river in S. C. The correct form is unknown.
Qualla--see Kwali.
Quaxule--see Guaxule.
Quinahaqui--a place, possibly in the Cherokee country, visited by
Pardo in 1567. The form cannot be identified.
Quoneashee--see Tlanusi`yi.
Rattlesnake Springs--see Utsanatiyi.
Rattling-Gourd--see Ganseti.
Raventown--see Kalanun`yi.
Red Clay--see Elawa`diyi.
Reid, Jesse--see Tse`si-Ska`tsi.
Ridge, Major John--see Nunna`hi-dihi`.
Ross, John--see Gu`wisguwi`.
Ross' Landing--see Tsatanu`gi.
Sadayi`--a feminine name, the proper name of the woman known to the
whites as Annie Ax; it cannot be translated.
Sagwa`hi, or Sagwun`yi--"One place," from sa`gwu, one, and hi or
yi, locative. Soco creek of Oconaluftee river, on the East Cherokee
reservation, in Jackson county, N. C. No satisfactory reason is given
for the name, which has its parallel in Tsaska`hi, "Thirty place,"
a local name in Cherokee county, N. C.
sa`gwalt`--horse; from asagwalihu, a pack or burden, asagwal lu`;
"there is a pack on him."
sa`gwali digu`lanahi`ta--mule; literally "long-eared horse," from
sa`gwali, horse, and digu`lanahi`ta, q. v.
saikwa`yi--bear-grass (Erynigium) also the greensnake, on account of
a fancied resemblance; the name of a former Cherokee settlement on
Sallacoa creek of Coosawatee river, in Gordon county, Ga.
Sakwi`yi (or Suki`yi; abbreviated Sakwi` or Suki`)--a former settlement
on Soquee river, a head stream of Chattahoochee, near Clarksville,
Habersham county, Ga. Also written Saukee and Sookee. The name has
lost its meaning.
sala`li--squirrel; the common gray squirrel; other varieties are kiyu
ga, the ground squirrel, and tewa, the flying squirrel; Sala`li was
also the name of an East Cherokee inventor who died a few years ago;
Sala`lani`ta` "Young-squirrels," is a masculine personal name on
the reservation.
saligu`gi--turtle, the common water turtle; soft-shell turtle,
u`lana`wa; land tortoise or terrapin, tuksi`.
Sa`nigila`gi (abbreviated San gila`gi)--Whiteside mountain, a
prominent peak of the Blue Ridge, southeast from Franklin, Macon
county, N. C. It is connected with the tradition of Utlun`ta.
Santeetla--the present map name of a creek joining Cheiwa river
in Graham county, N. C., and of a smaller tributary (Little
Santeetla). The name is not recognized or understood by the Cherokee,
who insist that it was given by the whites. Little Santeetla is known
to the Cherokee as Tsundanilti`yi, q. v.; the modern Santeetla creek is
commonly known as Nayu`higeyun`i, "Sand-place stream," from "Nuyu`hi,
"Sand place" (nayu, sand), a former settlement just above the junction
of the two creeks.
Sara--see Ani`-Suwa`li.
Sa`sa`--goose; an onomatope.
Sautee--see Itsa`ti.
Savannah--the popular name of this river is derived from that of the
Shawano Indians, formerly living upon its middle course, and known to
the Cherokee as Ani`Swanu`gi, q. v., to the Creeks as Savanuka, and
to some of the coast tribes of Carolina as Savanna. In old documents
the river is also called Isundiga, from Isu`nigu or Seneca, q. v.,
an important former Cherokee settlement upon its upper waters.
Sawanu`gi--"Shawano" (Indian); a masculine personal name upon the East
Cherokee reservation and prominent in the history of the band. See
Ani`Sawanu`gi and Ka`lahu`.
Sawnook--see Ka`lahu`.
Sehwate`yi--"Hornet place," from se`hwatu, hornet, and yi,
locative. Cheowa Maximum and Swim Bald, adjoining bald peaks at the
head of Cheowa river, Graham county, N. C.
selu--corn; sometimes called in the sacred formulas Agawe`la, "The
Old Woman."
sel-utsi` (for selu-utsi`)--"corn's mother," from selu, corn, and
utsi`, his mother (etsi` or agitsi`, my mother); the bead-corn or
Job's-tears (Coix lacryma).
Seneca--see Ani`-Nun`dawe`gi (Seneca tribe), and Isu`nigu. (Seneca
town.)
Sequatchee--see Si`gwetsi`.
Sequoya--see Sikwayi.
Setsi--a mound and traditional Cherokee settlement on the south side
of the Valley river, about three miles below Valleytown, in Cherokee
county, N. C.; the name has lost its meaning. A settlement called
Tasetsi (Tassetchie in some old documents) existed on the extreme
head of Hiwassee river, in Towns county, Ga.
Sevier--see Tsan`-usdi`.
Shoe-boots--see Da`si giya`gi.
Shooting creek--see Du`stayalun`yi.
Si`gwetsi`--a traditional Cherokee settlement on the south bank of
French Broad river, not far from Knoxville, Knox county, Tenn. Near
by was the quarry from which it is said the stone for the white
peace pipes was obtained. Swquatchee, the name of the river below
Chattanooga, in Tenn., is probably a corruption of the same word.
si`dwa--hog; originally the name of the opossum, now distinguished
as si`kwa utset`sti, q. v.
si`kwa utset`sti--opossum; literally "grinning hog," from si`kwa,
hog, and utset`sti, "he grins" (habitually).
Sikwa`yi--a masculine name, commonly written Sequoya, made famous as
that of the inventor of the Cherokee alphabet. The name, which cannot
be translated, is still in use upon the East Cherokee reservation.
Sikwi`a--a masculine name, the Cherokee corruption for Sevier. See
also Tsan-usdi`.
sinnawah--see tla`nuwa.
Si`tiku` (or su`tagu`, in dialectic form)--a former Cherokee settlement
on Little Tennessee river, at the entrance of Citico creek, in Monroe
county, Tenn. The name, which cannot be translated, is commonly
spelled Citico, but appears also as Sattiquo, Settico, Settacoo,
Sette, Sittiquo, etc.
siyu`--see a`siyu`.
skinta`--for skin`tagu`, understood to mean "put a new tooth into my
jaw." The word cannot be analyzed, but is derived from gantka` (ganta
ga in a dialectic form) a tooth in place; a tooth detached is kayu ga.
Skwan`-digu gun`yi (for Askwan`-digu gun`yi)--"where the Spaniard
is in the water" (or other liquid). A place on Upper Soco creek,
on the reservation in Jackson county, N. C.
Slick Rock--see Nunyu`tawi`ska.
Smith, N. J.--see Tsaladihi`.
Snowbird--see Tuti`yi.
Soco creek--see Sagwa`hi.
Soco Gap--see Ahalu`na.
Soquee--see Sakwi`yi.
Spray, H. W.--see Wilsini`.
spring-frog--see Du`stu`.
Standing Indian--see Yunwi-tsulenun`yi.
Stand Watie--see De`gataga.
Stekoa--see Stika`yi.
ste`tsi--"your daughter"; literally, "your offspring"; agwe`tsi,
"my offspring"; uwe`tsi, "his offspring"; to distinguish sex it is
necessary to add asga`ya, "man" or age`hya, "woman."
Stika`yi (variously spelled Stecoe, Steecoy, Stekoah, Stickoey,
etc.)--the name of several former Cherokee settlements: 1. Sticoa
creek, near Clayton, Babun county, Ga.; 2. on Tuckasegee river at
the old Thomas homestead just above the present Whittier, in Swain
county, N. C.; 3. on Stekoa creek of Little Tennessee river, a few
miles below the junction of Nantahala, in Graham county, N. C.
Stringfield--see Tlage`si.
stugi`sti, stui`ski--a key.
Suck, The--see Un`tiguhi`.
Sugartown--see Kulse`tsi`yi.
su`nawa`--see tla`nuwa.
sunestla`ta--"split noses"; see tsunu liyu` sunestla`ta.
sungi--mink; also onion; the name seems to refer to a smell; the
various minks are called generically, gaw sun`gi.
Suki`yi--another form of Sakwi`yi, q. v.
su`li`--buzzard; the Creek name is the same.
Sun Land--see Nunda`yi.
su`sa`-sai`--an unmeaning song refrain.
su`talidihi`--see nun`da`.
Suwa`li-nunna`hi (abbreviated Suwa`li-nunna`hi)--"Suwali train," the
proper name for the gap at the head of Swannanoa (from Suwa`li-Nun`na`)
river east of Asheville, in Buncombe county, N. C.
Suwa`ni--a former Cherokee settlement on Chattahoochee river, about
the present Suwanee, in Gwinnett county, Ga. The name has no meaning
in the Cherokee language and is said to be of Creek origin.
Suye`ta--"the Chosen One," from asuye`ta, "he is chosen," gasu`yeu,
"I am choosing"; the same form, suye`ta, could also mean mixed, from
gasu`yahu, "I am mixing it." A masculine name at present borne by a
prominent ex-chief and informant upon the East Cherokee reservation.
Swannanoa--see Wuwa`li-nunna`hi.
Swim Bald--see Sehwate`yi.
Swimmer--see Ayun`ini.
tadeya`statakuhi`--"we shall see each other."
Tae-keo-ge--see Ta ski`gi.
ta`gu--the June-bug (Allorhina nitida), also called tuya-diskalaw
tsiski, "one who keeps fire under the beans."
Ta`gwa--see Ani`ta`gwa.
Ta`gwadihi` (abbreviated Ta`gwadi`)--"Catawba-killer," from Ata`gwa or
Ta`gwa, "Cattawba Indian," and dihihi`, "he kills them" (habitually),
from tsi`ihu`. "I kill." An old masculine name, still in use upon
the East Cherokee reservation. It was the proper name of the chief
known to the whites about 1790 as "The Glass," from a confusion of
this name with adake`ti, glass, or mirror.
Tagwa`hi--"Catawba place," from Ata`gwa or Ta`gwa, Catawba Indian, and
hi, locative. A name occurring in several places in the old Cherokee
country. A settlement of this name, known to the whites as Toccoa,
was upon Toccoa creek, east of Clarksville, in Habersham county, Ga.;
another was upon Toccoa or Ocoee river, about the present Toccoa,
in Fannin county, Ga.; a third may have been on Persimmon creek,
which is known to the Cherokee as Tagwa`hi, and enters Hiwassee river
some distance below Murphy, in Cherokee county, N. C.
Tahkeyostee--see Unta`kiyasti`yi.
Tahlequah--see Talikwa`.
Tahchee--see Talikwa`.
Takatoka--see De`gata`ga.
ta`ladu` (abbreviated taldu`)--twelve, from ta`li, two. Cf. tala`tu,
cricket.
Ta`lasi`--a former Cherokee settlement on Little Tennessee river about
Talassee ford, in Blount county, Tenn. The name has lost its meaning.
Talassee--see Ta`lasi`.
tala`tu--cricket; sometimes also called dita`staye`ski (q. v.),
"the barber." Cf. ta`ladu`, twelve.
Tale`danigi`ski (Utale`danigi`si in a dialectic form)--variously
rendered by the whites "Hemp-carrier," "Nettle-carrier" or
"flax-toter," from tale`ta or utale`ta, flax (Linum) or richweed (Pilea
pumila), and danigi`ski, "he carries them" (habitually). A former
prominent chief on Valley river, in Cherokee county, North Carolina.
Talihina--given as the name of the Cherokee wife of Samuel Houston;
the form cannot be identified.
Talikwa` (commonly written Tellico, Teliquo or, in the Indian
Territory, Tahlequah)--the name of several Cherokee settlements at
different periods, viz.: 1. Great Tellico, at Tellico Plains, on
Tellico river, in Monroe county, Tenn.; 2. Little Tellico, on Tellico
creek of Little Tennessee river, about ten miles below Franklin,
Macon county, N. C. 3. a town on Valley river, about five miles above
Murphy, in Cherokee county, N. C.; 4. Tahlequah, established as the
capital of the Cherokee Nation, Ind. Ter., in 1839. The meaning of
the name is lost.
Tali`wa--the site of a traditional battle between the Cherokee and
Creeks about 1755, on Mountain (?) creek of Etowah river in upper
Georgia. Probably not a Cherokee but a Creek name from the Creek
ta`lua or ita`lua, town.
Talking-rock--see Nunyu-gunwani`ski.
Tallulah--see Talulu`.
Tal-tsu`ska`--"Two-heads," from ta`li, two, and tsu`ska`, plural of
uska`, (his) head. A Cherokee chief about the year 1800, known to
the whites as Doublehead.
taluli--pregnant; whence aluli`, (she is) "a mother," said of a woman.
Talulu` (commonly Tallulah, and appearing in old documents, from the
Lower dialect, as Taruraw, Toruro, Turoree, etc.)--a name occurring in
two or more places in the old Cherokee country, viz.: 1. An ancient
settlement on the upper part of Tallulah river, in Rabun county,
Georgia; 2. a town on Tallulah creek of Cheowa river, in Graham county,
N. C. The word is of uncertain etymology. The dulu`si frog is said
to cry talulu`. The noted falls upon Tallulah river are known to the
Cherokee as Ugun`yi, q. v.
Taluntiski--see Ata`lunti`ski.
Tama`li--a name, commonly written Tomotley or Tomatola, occurring in
at least two places in the old Cherokee country, viz.: 1. On Valley
river, a few miles above Murphy, about the present Tomatola, in
Cherokee county, N. C. 2. on Little Tennessee river, about Tomotley
ford, a few miles above Tellico river, in Monroe county, Tenn. The
name cannot be translated, and may be of Creek origin, as that tribe
had a town of the same name upon the lower Chattahoochee river.
Tanasi`--a name which cannot be analyzed, commonly spelled Tennessee,
occurring in several places in the old Cherokee country, viz.: 1. On
Little Tennessee river about half-way between Citico and Toco creeks,
in Monroe county, Tenn. 2. "Old Tennessee town," on Hiwassee river, a
short distance above the junction of Ocoee, in Polk county, Tenn. 3. On
Tennessee creek, a head-stream of Tuckasegee river, in Jackson county,
N. C. Tanasqui, visited by Pardo in 1567, may have been another place
of the same name.
Tanasqui--see Tanasi`.
Ta`ski`gi (abbreviated from Ta`skigi`yi or Da`skigi`yi, the locative
yi being commonly omitted)--a name variously written Tae-keo-ge
(misprint), Tasquiqui, Teeskege, Tuscagee, Tuskegee, etc., derived from
that of a foreign tribe incorporated with the Cherokee, and occurring
as a local name both in the Cherokee and in the Creek country. 1. The
principal settlement of this name was on Little Tennessee river, just
above the junction of Tellico, in Monroe county, Tenn.; 2. another
was on the north bank of Tennessee river, just below Chattanooga,
Tennessee; 3. another may have been on Tuskegee creek of Little
Tennessee river, near Robbinsville, Graham county, N. C.
Tasquiqui--see Ta`ski`gi.
Tassel, Old--see Utsi`dsata`.
Tatsi`--"Dutch," also written Tahchee, a western Cherokee chief
about 1830.
Tatsu`hwa--the redbird.
tawa`li--punk.
Tawa`li-ukwanun`ti--"Punk-plugged-in," from tawa`li, punk; the Cherokee
name of a traditional Shawano chief.
tawi`ska, tawi`skage--smooth, slick.
Tawi`skala--"Flint"; a Cherokee supernatural, the personification
of the rock flint; tawi`skalun`ti, tawi`skala, flint, from tawi`ska,
smooth, slick; cf. Iroquois Tawiskaron.
Tayunksi--a traditional western tribe; the name cannot be analyzed.
Tellico--see Talikwa`.
telun`lati--the summer grape (Vitis aestivalis).
Tenaswattee--see Ku`saweti`yi.
Terrapin--see Tuksi`.
tewa--a flying squirrel; sala`li, gray squirrel; kiyu ga, ground
squirrel.
Thomas, W. H.--see Wil-usdi`.
Tikwali`tsi--a name occurring in several places in the old Cherokee
country, viz.: 1. Tuckalegee creek, a tributary of War-Woman creek,
east of Clayton, in Rabun county, Ga.; 2. the Tikiwali`tsi of the
story, an important town on Tuckasegee river at the present Bryson
City, in Swain county, N. C. 3. Tuckalechee cove, on Little river,
in Blount county, Tenn., which probably preserves the aboriginal
local name. The name appears in old documents as Tuckarechee (Lower
dialect) and Tuckalegee, and must not be confounded with Tsiksi`tsi
or Tuckasegee. It cannot be translated.
Timossy--see Tomassee.
Tlage`si--"Field"; the Cherokee name for Lieutenant-Colonel
W. W. Stringfield of Waynesville, N. C., one of the officers of
the Cherokee contingent in the Thomas Legion. It is an abbreviated
rendering of his proper name.
tlage`situn`--a song form for tlage`sia-stun`i, "on the edge of the
field," from a stream.
tla`meha--bat (dialectic forms, tsa`meha, tsa`weha).
tlanu`si`--leech (dialectic form, tsanu`si`).
Tlanusi`yi (abbreviated Tlanusi`)--"Leech place," former important
settlement at the junction of Hiwassee and Valley river, the present
site of Murphy, in Cherokee county, N. C.; also a point on Nottely
river, a few miles distant, in the same county. The name appears also
as Clennuse, Klausuna, Quoneashee, etc.
tla`nuwa (dialetic forms, tsa`nuwa`, su`nawa`, "sinnawah")--a mythic
great hawk.
tla`nuwa`usdi--"little tla`nuwa`"; probably the goshawk (Astur
atricapillus).
Tla`nuwa`atsi Yelun`isun`yi--"where the Tla`nuwa cut it up,"
from tla`nuwa`, q. v., and tsiyelun`isku`, an archaic form for
tsigunilun`isku`, "I am cutting it up." A place on Little Tennessee
river, nearly opposite the entrance of Citico creek, in Blount
county, Tenn.
Tla`nuwa`i--"Tla`nuwa place," a cave on the north side of Tennessee
river, a short distance below the entrance of Citico creek, in Blount
county, Tenn.
tlayku`--jay (dialectic form, tsayku`).
tlunti`sti--the pheasant (Bonasa umbella), called locally grouse
or partridge.
tluntu`tsi--panther (dialectic form, tsuntu`ski).
tlutlu`--the martin bird (dialectic form, tsutsu`).
Tocax--a place, apparently in the Cherokee country, visited by Pardo
in 1567. It may possibly have a connection with Toxaway (see Duksa`i)
or Toccoa (see Tagwa`hi).
Toccoa--see Tagwa`hi.
Toco--see Dakwa`i.
Tollunteeskee--see Ata`lunti`ski.
Tomassee (also written Timossy and Tymahse)--the name of two or more
former Cherokee settlements, viz.: 1. On Tomassee creek of Keowee
river, in Oconee county, S. C.; 2. On Little Tennessee river, near
the entrance of Burningtown creek, in Macon county, N. C. The correct
form and interpretation are unknown.
Tomatola, Tomotley--see Tama`li.
Tooantuh--see Du`stu`.
Toogelah--see Dugilu`yi.
Toqua--see Dakwa`i.
Toxaway--see Dukas`i.
Track Rock gap--see Datsu`nalasgun`yi.
Tsaga`si--a Cherokee sprite.
tsa`gi--upstream, up the road; the converse of ge`i.
Tsaiyi`--see Untsaiyi`.
Tsa`ladihi`--Chief N. J. Smith of the East Cherokee. The name might
be rendered "Charley-killer," from Tsali, "Charley," and dihi`,
"killer" (in composition), but is really a Cherokee equivalent for
Jarrett (Tsaladi`), his middle name, by which he was frequently
addressed. Cf. Tagwadihi.
tsal-agayun`li--"old tobacco," from tsalu, tobacco, and agayun`li or
agayun`lige, old, ancient; the Nicotiana rustica or wild tobacco.
Tsa`lagi` (Tsa`ragi` in Lower dialect)--the correct form of Cherokee.
Tsa`li--Charley; a Cherokee shot for resisting the troops at the time
of Removal.
tsaliyu`sti--"tobacco-like," from tsalu, tobacco, and iyu`sti, like;
a generic name for the cardinal-flower, mullein and related species.
tsalu or tsalun (in the Lower dialect, tsaru)--tobacco; by comparison
with kindred forms the other Iroquoian dialects the meaning "fire to
hold in the mouth" seems to be indicated. Lanman spells it tso-lungh.
tsameha--see tla`meha.
tsa`nadiska`--for tsandiskai`, "they say."
tsana`seha`i`--"so they say," "they say about him."
tsane`ni--the scorpion lizard; also called gi`ga-danegi`ski, q. v.
Tsani--John.
Tsantawu`--a masculine name which cannot be analyzed.
Tsan-uga`sita--"Sour John"; the Cherokee name for General John Sevier,
and also the boy name of the Chief John Ross, afterward known as
Gu`wisguwi`, q. v. Sikwi`a, a Cherokee attempt at "Sevier," is a
masculine name upon the East Cherokee reservation.
tsanu`si`--see tlanu`si`.
tsa`nuwa`--see tla`nuwa`.
Tsa`ragi`--Cherokee.
tsaru--see tsalu.
Tsasta`wi--a noted hunter formerly living upon Nantahala river,
in Macon county, North Carolina; the meaning of the name is doubtful.
Tsatanu`gi (commonly spelled Chattanooga)--the Cherokee name for
some point upon the creek entering Tennessee river at the city of
Chattanooga, in Hamilton county, Tennessee. It has no meaning in the
Cherokee language and appears to be of foreign origin. The ancient
name for the site of the present city is Atla`nuwa, q. v. Before the
establishment of the town the place was known to the whites as Ross'
landing, from a store kept there by Lewis Ross, brother of the chief,
John Ross.
Tsatu`gi (commonly written Chattooga or Chatuga)--a name occurring
in two or three places in the old Cherokee country, but apparently of
foreign origin. Possible Cherokee derivations are from words signifying
respectively "he drank by sips," from gatu`gia`, "I sip," or "he has
crossed the stream and come out upon the other side," from gatu`gi,
"I have crossed," etc. An ancient settlement of this name was on
Chattooga river, a headstream of Savannah river, on the boundary
between South Carolina and Georgia; another appears to have been on
upper Tellico river, in Monroe county, Tennessee; another may have been
on Chattooga river, a tributary of the Coosa, in northwestern Georgia.
Tsa`wa Gakski--Joe Smoker, from Tsawa, "Joe," and gakski, "smoker,"
from ga`gisku, "I am smoking." The Cherokee name for Chief Joel
B. Mayes, of the Cherokee Nation west.
Tsawa`si--a Cherokee sprite.
tsa`weha--see tla`meha.
tsay ku`--see tlay ku`.
Tsek`sini`--a Cherokee form for the name of General Andrew Jackson.
Tsesa`ni--Jessan, probably a derivative from Jesse; a masculine name
upon the East Cherokee reservation.
Tse`si-Ska`tsi--"Scotch Jesse"; Jesse Reid, present chief of the East
Cherokee, so-called because of mixed Scotch ancestry.
tsetsani`li--"thy two elder brothers" (male speaking); "my elder
brother" (male speaking), ungini`li.
Tsgagun`yi--"Insect place," from tsgaya, insect, and yi, locative. A
cave in the ridge eastward from Franklin, in Macon county, N. C.
tsgaya--insect, worm, etc.
Tsikama`gi--a name, commonly spelled Chickamauga, occurring in
at least two places in the old Cherokee country, which has lost
any meaning in Cherokee and appears to be of foreign origin. It
is applied to a small creek at the head of Chattahoochee river,
in White county, Ga., and also to the district about the southern
(not the northern) Chickamauga creek, coming into Tennessee river,
a few miles above Chattanooga, in Hamilton county, Tenn. In 1777,
the more hostile portion of the Cherokee withdrew from the rest of
the tribe, and established here a large settlement, from which they
removed about five years later to settle lower down the Tennessee,
in what were known as the Chickamauga towns or Five Lower towns.
tsiki`--a word which renders emphatic that which it follows: as a`stu,
"very good," astu` tsiki, "best of all."
tsikiki`--the katydid; the name is an onomatope.
tsi`kilili`--the Carolina chickadee (Parus carolinensis); the name
is an onomatope.
Tsiksi`tsi (Tuksi`tsi is dialectic form; commonly written
Tuckasegee)--1. a former Cherokee settlement about the junction of the
two forks of Tuckasegee, above Webster, in Jackson county, N. C. (not
to be confounded with Tikwali`tsi, q. v.). 2. A former settlement
on a branch of Brasstown creek of Hiwassee river, in Towns county,
Ga. The word has lost its meaning.
Tsi`nawi--a Cherokee wheelwright, perhaps the first in the Nation to
make a spinning-wheel and loom. The name cannot be analyzed.
tsine`u--"I am picking it (something long) up"; in the Lower and
Middle dialects, tsinigi`u.
tsinigi`u--see tsine`u.
tsiska`gili--the large red crawfish; the ordinary crawfish is called
tsistu`na.
tsi`skwa--bird.
tsiskwa`gwa--robin, from tsi`skwa, bird.
Tsiskwa`hi--"Bird place," from tsi`skwa, bird, and hi,
locative. Birdtown settlement on the East Cherokee reservation,
in Swain county, N. C.
tsiskwa`ya--sparrow, literally "principal bird" (i. e., most widely
distributed), from tsi`skwa, bird, and ya, a suffix denoting principal
or real.
Tsiskwunsdi`adsisti`yi--"where they killed Little-bird," from
Tsiskwunsdi, "little birds" (plural form.) A place near the head of
West Buffalo creek, southeast of Robbinsville, in Graham county, N. C.
Tsilalu`hi--"Sweet-gum place," from tsila`lu`, sweet gum (Liquidambar)
and hi, locative. A former settlement on a small branch of Brasstown
creek of Hiwassee river, just within the line of Towns county,
Ga. The name is incorrectly rendered Gum-log (creek).
Tsistetsi`yi--"Mouse place," from tsistetsi, mouse, and yi, locative. A
former settlement on South Mouse creek, of Hiwassee river, in Bradley
county, Tenn. The present town of Cleveland, upon the same creek,
is known to the Cherokee under the same name.
tsist-imo `gosto--"rabbit foods" (plural), from tsi`stu, rabbit,
and uni`gisti, plural of agi`sti, food, from tsiyi`giu "I am eating"
(soft food). The wild rose.
tsistu--rabbit.
tsistu`na--crawfish; the large-horned beetle is also so called. The
large red crawfish is called tsiska`gili.
Tsistu`yi--"Rabbit place," from tsistu, rabbit, and yi,
locative. 1. Gregory bald, high peak of the Great Smoky range,
eastward from Little Tennessee river, on the boundary between Swain
county, N. C., and Blount county, Tenn. 2. A former settlement on
the north bank of Hiwassee river at the entrance of Chestua creek,
in Polk county, Tenn, The name of Choastea creek of Tugaloo river, in
Oconee county, S. C., is probably also a corruption from the same word.
Tsiya`hi--"Otter place," from tsiyu, otter, and yi, locative; variously
spelled Cheowa, Cheeowhee, Chewohe, Chewe, etc. 1. A former settlement
on a branch of Keowee river, near the present Cheohee, Oconee county,
S. C. 2. A former and still existing Cherokee settlement on Cheowa
river, about Robbinsville, in Graham county, N. C. 3. A former
settlement in Cades Cove, on Cove creek, in Blount county, Tenn.
Tsi`yi-gunsi`ni--"He is dragging a canoe," from tsi`yu, canoe
(cf. tsi`yu) otter, and gunsi`ni, "he is dragging it." "Dragging
Canoe," a prominent leader of the hostile Cherokee in the
Revolution. The name appears in documents as Cheucunsene and Kunnesee.
Tskil-e`gwa--"Big-witch," from atsikili`, or tskilu`, witch, owl, and
e`gwa, big; an old man of the East Cherokee, who died in 1896. Although
translated Big-witch by the whites, the name is understood by the
Indians to mean Big-owl, having been originally applied to a white
man living on the same clearing, and noted for his large staring eyes.
tskili` (contracted from atskili`)--1. witch; 2. the dusky-horned owl
(Bubo virginianus saturatus).
tskwa`yi--the great white heron or American egret. (Herodias egretta).
Tsolungh--see tsalu.
Tsuda`ye lun`yi--"Isolated place"; an isolated peak near the head of
Cheowa river, northeast of Robbinsville, in Graham county, N. C. The
root of the word signifies detached, or isolated, whence Uda`ye lun`yi,
the Cherokee outlet, in Ind. Ter.
Tsunda`talesun`yi--"where pieces fall off," i. e., where the banks are
caving in; from adatale`i, "it is falling off," ts, distance prefix,
"there," and yi, locative. The Cherokee name for the present site
of Memphis, Tenn., overlooking the Mississippi and formerly known as
the Chickasaw bluff.
Tsu`dinunti`yi--"Throwing-down place"; a former settlement on lower
Nantahala river, in Macon county, N. C.
Tsugidu`li ulsgi`sti (from tsugidu`li, plural of ugiduli, one of
the long wing or tail feathers of a bird, and ulsgi`sti or ulsgi`ta,
a dance)--the feather or eagle dance.
Tsukilunnun`yi--"Where he alighted"; two bald spots on a mountain at
the head of a Little Snowbird creek, near Robbinsville, Graham county,
N. C.
tsungili`si--plural of ungili`si, q. v.
tsungini`si--plural of ungini`si, q. v.
tsunkina`tli--"my younger brothers" (male speaking).
tsunkita`--"my younger brothers" (female speaking).
tsula--fox; cf. tsulu, kingfisher and tlutlu` or tsulsu`, martin. The
black fox is ina`li. The Creek word for fox is chula.
tsula`ski--alligator; the name is of uncertain etymology.
Tsula`sinun`yi--"Footprint place." A place on Tuckasee river, about
a mile above Deep creek, in Swain county, N. C.
Tsula`wi--see Tsulunwe`i.
Tsule`hisanun`hi--"Resurrected One," from di`gwale`hisanun`hi, "I
was resurrected." literally, "I was down and have risen." Tsa`lagi`,
Tsule`hisanunhi, the Cherokee title of the newspaper known to the
whites as the Cherokee Phoenix. The Cherokee title was devised by
Worcester and Boudinot as suggesting the idea of the phoenix of
classic fable. The Indian name of the recent "Cherokee Advocate"
is Tsa`lagi Asdeli`ski.
Tsul kalu`--"Slanting-eyes," literally "he has them slanting" (or
leaning up against something); the prefix ts makes it a plural form,
and the name is understood to refer to the eyes, although the word
eye (akta`, plural dikta`) is not a part of it. Cf. Ata`-gulkalu. A
mythic giant and ruler of the game. The name has been corrupted to
Jutaculla and Tuli-cula. Jutaculla rock and Jutaculla old fields
about the head of Tuckasegee river, in Jackson, North Carolina,
take their name from him.
Tsulkalu` tsunegun`yi--see Tsunegun`yi.
tsulie`na--the nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis); the word signifies
literally "deaf" (a plural form referring to the ear, gule`) although
no reason is given for such a name.
tsulu--kingfisher. Cf. tsula.
Tsulunwe`i--(abbreviated Tsulun`we or Tsula`wi, possibly connected
with tsulu, kingfisher)--Chilhowee creek, a north tributary of Little
Tennessee river, in Blount county, Tennessee.
Tsundanilti`yi--"where they demanded the debt from him"; a place
on Little Santeetal river, west of Robbinsville, in Graham county,
North Carolina. The creek also is commonly known by the same name.
Tsundige`wi--"Closed anuses," literally "they have them closed,"
understood to refer to the anus; from dige`wi, plural of ge`wi,
closed, stopped up, blind; cf. Tsulkalu`; also Gulisge`wi, "Blind,
or closed, ears," an old personal name.
Tsun`digwun`tski (contracted from tsun`digwuntsugi, "they have them
forked," referring to the peculiar forked tail; cf. Tsulkalu`)--a
migratory bird which once appeared for a short time upon the East
Cherokee reservation, apparently, from the description, the scissortail
or swallow-tailed fly-catcher (Milvulus forficatus).
Tsunegun`yi (sometimes called Tsulkalu` Tsunegun`yi)--Tennessee Bald,
at the extreme head of Tuckasegee river, on the east line of Jackson
county, North Carolina. The name seems to mean "there where it is
white," from ts, a prefix indicating distance, une`ga, white, and
yi, locative.
Tsunil` kalu--the plural form for Tsul kalu, q. v., a traditional
giant tribe in the west.
tsunis`tsahi--"(those) having topnots or crests," from ustsahu`,
"having a topknot," ustsahi`, "he has a topknot" (habitually).
Tsuniya`tiga--"Naked People"; literally "They are naked there," from
uya`tiga, naked (singular), with the prefix ts, indicating distance. A
traditional western tribe.
tsun-ka`wi-ye`, tsun-sikwa-ya`, tsun-tsu`la-ya`, tsun-wa`ya-ya`--"I
am (tsun or tsi, verbal prefix) a real (ya, ye, noun suffix) deer"
(kawi`, archaic for a wi`); opossum, si`kwa; fox, tsula; wolf,
waya. Archaic song forms.
tsunsdi`--contracted from tsunsdi`ga, the plural of usdi`ga or usdi`,
small.
Tsunu`lahun`ski--"He tries, but fails" (habitually), from
detsinu`lahun`ski (q. v.), "I tried, but failed." A former noted chief
among the East Cherokee, commonly known to the whites as Junaluska. In
early life he was called Gulkala`ski, a name which denotes something
habitually falling from a leaning position (cf. Ata-gul kalu` and
Tsul kalu`).
tsunu` liyu`sunestla`ta--"they have split noses," (from agwaliyu`,
"I have it," and unestlau`, "it is cracked" (as a crack made by the
sun's heat in a log or in the earth)); the initial s makes it refer
to the nose, kayasa`.
Tsusgina`i--"the Ghost country," from asgi`na, "ghost," i, locative,
and ts, a prefix denoting distance. The land of the dead; it is
situated in Usunhi`yi, the Twilight land, in the west.
Tsuta`tsinasun`yi--"Eddy place." A place on Cheowa river at the mouth
of Cochran creek, in Graham county, N. C.
tsutsu`--see tlutlu`.
tsuntu`tsi--see tluntu`tsi.
tsuwa`--the mud-puppy or water dog (Menopoma or Protonopsis).
Tsuwa`tel`da--a contraction of tsuwa`teldun`yi; the name has lost its
meaning. Pilot Knob, north from Brevard, in Transylvania county, N. C.
Tsuwa`-uniytsun`yi--"where the water-dog laughed." from tsuwa`, q. v.,
"water-dog," uniye`tsu, "they laughed" (agiyet`sku, "I am laughing")
and yi, locative; Tusquittee Bald, near Hayesville, in Clay county,
N. C.
Tsuwe`nahi--A traditional hunter, in communication with the invisible
people. The name seems to mean "He has them in abundance," an
irregular or archaic form for Uwe`nai, "he has abundance," "he is
rich," from agwe`nai`, "I am rich." As a masculine name it is used
as the equivalent of Richard.
Tuckalechee--see Tikwah`tsi.
Tuckasegee--see Tsiksi`tsi.
Tugaloo--see Dugilu`yi.
tugalu`--the cry of the dagulku, goose.
tugalu`na--a variety of small fish, about four inches long, frequenting
the larger streams (from galu`na, a gourd, on account of its long
nose).
tuksi`--the terrapin or land tortoise; also the name of a Cherokee
chief about the close of the Revolution. Saligu`gi, common turtle;
soft-shell turtle, U`lana`wa.
Tuksi`tsi--see Tsiksi`tsi.
Tuli-cula--see Tsui`kalu`.
tulsku`wa--"he snaps with his head," from uska`, head; the snapping
beetle.
Tuna`i--a traditional warrior and medicine man of old Itsa`ti; the
name cannot be analyzed.
Turkeytown--see Gun-di`gaduhun`yi.
Turniptown--see U`lunyi.
Tuskegee--see Ta`ski`gi.
Tusquittee Bald--see Tsuwa`-uniyetsun`yi.
Tusquittee creek--see Daskwitun`yi.
tu`sti--for tusti`ga, a small bowl; larger jars are called diwa`li
and unti`ya.
tuti--snowbird.
Tuti`yi--"Snowbird place," from tu`ti, snowbird, and yi,
locative. Little Snow-bird creek of Cheowa river, in Graham county,
N. C.
tu`tsahyesi`--"he will marry you."
tu`ya--bean.
tu`ya-diskalaw`sti`ski--see ti`gu.
tu`yahusi`--"she will die."
Tymahse--see Tomassee.
Uchee--see Ani`-Yu`tsi.
uda`hale`yi--"on the sunny side."
uda`i--the baneberry or cohosh vine (Actaea?). The name signifies
that the plant has something long hanging from it.
uda`li--"(it is) married"; the mistletoe, so-called on account of
its parasitic habit.
U`dawagun`ta--"Bald." A bald mountain of the Great Smoky range,
in Yancy county, N. C., not far from Mount Mitchell.
Udsi`skala--a masculine name.
uga`sita--sour.
u`giska`--"he is swallowing it"; from tsikiu`, "I am eating."
u`guku`--the hooting or barred owl.
ugunste`li (ugunste`lu in dialect form)--the horny-head fish.
Ugun`yi--Tallulah falls, on the river of that name, northeast from
Clarksville, in Habersham county, Ga. The meaning of the name is lost.
Uilata--see U`tlun`ta.
uk-ku`suntsuteti`--"it will twist up one's arm."
Uk-ku`suntsuti`--"Bent-bow-shape"; a comic masculine name.
Uk-kunagi`sti--"it will draw down one's eye."
Uk-kwunagi`ta--"eye-drawn-down"; a comic masculine name.
uksu`hi--the mountain blacksnake or black racer (coluber obsoletus);
the name seems to refer to some pecularity of the eye, akta`, uksuhha`,
"he has something lodged in his eye."
Ukte`na--"Keen-eyed (?)" from akta`, eye, akta`ti, to examine
closely. A mythic great-horned serpent, with a talismanic diadem.
Ukte`na-tsuganun`yi--"where the Uktena got fastened." A spot on
Tuckasegee river, about two miles above Bryson City, in Swain county,
N. C.
Ukwu`nu (or Ukwu`ni)--a former Cherokee settlement, commonly known
to the whites as Oconee, on Seneca creek, near the present Walhalla,
in Oconee county, S. C.
Ula`gu`--the mythical original of the yellow-jacket tribe. The word
signifies "leader," "boss," or "principal one," and is applied to the
first yellow-jacket (d`ska`i) seen in the spring, to a queen bee and
to the leader of a working squad.
u`lana`wa--the soft-shell turtle; see also saligu`gi and tuksi`.
ulasu`la--moccasin, shoe.
ule`--and; ule`-nu, and also.
ulskwulte`gi--a "pound mill," a self-acting water-mill used in the
Cherokee mountains. The name signifies that "it butts with its head"
(Uska`, head), in allusion to the way in which the pestles work in
the mortar. The generic word for mill is dist`sti.
ulstitlu`--literally "it is on his head." The diamond crest on the
head of the mythic Uktena serpent. When detached it becomes Ulunsu`ti.
Ultiwa`i--a former Cherokee settlement above the present Ooltewah,
on the creek of the same name, in James county, Tenn.
ulunni`ta--domesticated, tame; may be used for persons as well as
animals, but not for plants; for cultivated or domesticated plants
the adjective is gunutlun`i or gunusun`i.
Ulunsu`ti--"Transparent"; the great talismanic crystal of the Cherokee.
ulun`ta--"it has climbed," from tsilahi`, "I am climbing"; the poison
oak (Rhus radicans).
U`lun`yi--"Tuber place," from U`li`, a variety of edible tuber, and yi,
locative. A former settlement upon Turniptown, (for U`lun`yi) creek,
above Ellijay, in Gilmer county, Ga.
Unacala--see Uni`gadihi`.
U`nadanti`yi--"Place where they conjured," the name of a gap about
three miles east of Webster, in Jackson county, N. C., and now
transferred to the town itself.
unade`na--woolly, downy, (in speaking of animals); uwa`nu, wool,
down, fine fur (detached from the animal).
u`nahu`--see unahwi`.
u`nahi`--heart; in Middle and Lower dialects, unahu`.
Unaka--see une`ga and Unicoi.
unatlunwe`hitu--"it has spirals"; a plant (unidentified) used in
conjuration.
une`ga--white.
une`guhi--"he is (was) mischievous or bad"; tsune`guhi`yu, "you are
very mischievous" (said to a child).
une`gutsatu`--"(he is) mischievous"; a`gine`gutsatu`, "I am
mischievous."
Une`lanun`hi--"The Apportioner"; "I am apportioning," gane`lasku`;
"I apportion" (habitually), gane`laski. In the sacred formulas a
title of the Sun God; in the Bible the name of God.
une`stalun--ice.
Unicoi--the map name of the Unicoi turnpike, of a gap on the watershed
between Chattahoochee and Hiwassee river, in Georgia, and of a county
in Tennessee. Probably a corruption of une`ga, white, whence comes
also Unaka, the present map name of a part of the Great Smoky range.
uni`gisti--foods; singular, agi`sti.
Uniga`yata`ti`yi--"where they made a fish trap," from uga`yatun`i,
fish trap, and yi, locative; a place on Tuckasegee river, at the
mouth of Deep creek, near Bryson City, in Swain county, N. C.
Uni`haluna--see Ahalu`na.
Unika`wa--the "Town-house dance," so-called because danced inside
the town-house.
Une`ga-dihi`--"White-man-killer"; from une`ga, "white," for
yun`wune`ga, "white person," and dihi`, a noun suffix denoting
"killer," "he kills them" (habitually). A Cherokee chief, whose name
appears on the documents about 1790.
ungida`--"thy two elder brothers" (male speaking).
ungini`li--"my elder brother."
ungini`si (plural, tsungini`si)--"my daughter's child."
u`niskwetu`gi--"they wear a hat," ulskwe`tawa`, hat from uska`,
head. The May apple (Podophyllum).
unistilun`isti--"they stick on along their whole length"; the generic
name for "stickers" and burrs, including the Spanish needle, cockle
burr, jimson weed, etc.
uni`tsi--her mother; agitsi`, my mother.
Uniya`hitun`yi--"where they shot it," from tsiya`ihu`. "I shot,"
and yi, locative. A place on Tuckasegee river a short distance above
Bryson City, in Swain county, N. C.
Unli`ta--"(He is) long-winded," an archaic form for the regular word,
gunli`ta; an old masculine name. A chief about the year 1790, known
to the whites as "The Breath."
Untoola--see Dihiyun`dula`.
Unta`kiyasti`yi--"Where they race," from takiya`ta, a race, and yi,
locative; locally corrupted to Tahkeyostee. The district on the French
Broad river, around Asheville, in Buncombe county, N. C. The town
itself is known to the Cherokee as Kasdu`yi, "Ashes place," (from
kasdu, ashes, and yi, locative), which is intended as a translation
of its proper name.
Un`tiguhi`--"Pot in water," from or unti`ya, pot, and guli`, "it is
in the water" (or other liquid, habitually). The Suck, a dangerous
rapid in Tennessee river, at the entrance of Suck creek, about eight
miles below Chattanooga, Tenn.
Untlasgasti`yi--"Where they scratched"; a place at the head of Hyatt's
creek of Valley river, in Cherokee county, N. C.
Untoola--see Dihyun`dula`.
Untsaili` (also Etsaiyi`, or Tsaiyi`, the first syllable being almost
silent)--"Brass."
unwada`li--store-house, provision house.
Unwada-tsu`gilasun`--"Where the storehouse (unwada`li) was taken
off." Either Black Rock or Jones' Knob, northeast of Webster, on the
east line of Jackson county, N. C.
unun`ti--milk.
usdi`ga (abbreviated usdi`)--small; plural tsunsdi`ga, tsundi`.
usga`se`ti`yu--very dangerous, very terrible; intensive of usga`se`ti.
Uskwale`na--"Big-Head," from uska`, head; a masculine name, perhaps
the original of the "Bull-head," given by Haywood as the name of a
former noted Cherokee warrior.
Uskwa`li-gu`ta--"His stomach hangs down," from uskwa`li, his stomach,
and gu`ta, "it hangs down." A prominent chief of the Revolutionary
period, known to the whites as Hanging-maw.
U`stana`li (from U`stanala`hi or uni`stana`la (a plural form), denoting
a natural barrier of rocks (plural) across a stream)--a name occurring
in several places in the old Cherokee country, and variously spelled
Eastinaulee, Eastinora, Estanaula, Eustenaree, Istanare, Oostanaula,
Oostinawley, Ustenary, etc.
u`stuti--see utsu`gi.
Ustu`tli--a traditional dangerous serpent. The name signifies having
something on the calf of the leg or on the heel, from ustutun`i
"(his) calf of the leg (attached)." It is applied also to the Southern
hoop-snake.
Usunhi`yi--the "Darkening land," "where it is always getting dark,"
as at twilight. The name used for the west in the myths and the sacred
formulas; the common word is wude`ligun`yi, "there where it (the sun)
goes down."
u`tanu--great, fully developed. Cf. e`gwa.
utawa`hilu--"hand breadth," from uwa`yi, hand. A figurative term used
in the myths and sacred formulas.
U`tawagun`ta--"Bald place." A high bald peak in the Great Smoky range
on the Tenn.-N. C. line, northeast from Big Pigeon river.
U`tlun`ta--"He (or she) has it sharp," i. e., has some sharp part
or organ; it might be used of a tooth, a finger-nail, or some other
attached part of the body.
U`tluntun`yi--"U`tlun`ta place"; see U`tlun`ta. A place on Little
Tennessee river, nearly off Citico creek, in Blount county, Tenn.
U`tsala--"Lichen"; another form of utsale`ta. A Cherokee chief of
Removal period in 1838.
utsale`ta--lichen, literally "pot scrapings," from a fancied
resemblance.
utsa`nati`--rattlesnake; the name is of doubtful etymology, but is
said to refer to the rattle.
Utsa`nati`yi--"Rattlesnake place." Rattlesnake springs, about two
miles south from Charlestown, Bradley county, Tenn.
utset`sti--"he grins" (habitually). See si`kwa utset`sti.
utsi`--her (his) mother; etsi`, agitsi`, my mother.
Utsi`dsata`--"Corn-tassel," "Thistle-head," etc. It is used as a
masculine name, and was probably the Cherokee name of the chief of
Revolutionary times, known as "Old Tassel."
utsu`gi--the tufted titmouse (Parus bicolor); also called u`stuti`,
"topnot, or tip," on account of its crest.
u`tsuti`--fish. Also, many.
Uwaga`hi (commonly written Ocoee)--"Apricot place," from uwa`ga,
the "apricot vines," or "maypop," (Passiflora incarnata), and hi,
locative. A former important settlement on Ocowe river, near its
junction with Hiwassee, about the present Benton, in Polk county, Tenn.
uwa`yi--hand, paw, generally used with the possessive suffix, as
uwaye`ni, "his hand."
uwe`la--liver.
uwe`nahi--rich; used also as a personal name.
Uw`tsun`ta--"Bouncer" (habitual); from k`tsi, "it is bouncing." A
traditional serpent described as moving by jerks like a measuring worm,
to which also the name is applied.
Uyahye`--a high peak in the Great Smoky range, probably on the line
between Swain county, N. C., and Sevier county, Tenn.
Uy`gila`gi--abbreviated from Tsuyu`gila`gi, "where there are dams,"
i. e., beaver dams; from gu`gilu`unsku`, "he is damming it." 1. A
former settlement on Oothcaloga (Ougillogy) creek of Oostanaula river,
near the present Calhoun, in Gordon county, Ga.; 2. Beaverdam creek,
west of Clarksville, in Habbersham county, Ga.
Valleytown--see Gu`nahitun`yi.
Vengeance creek--see Gansa`ti`yi.
Wachesa--see Watsi`su.
wadan`--thanks!
wa`di--paint, especially red paint.
wa`dige-aska`li--"his head (is) brown," i. e., "brown-head"; from
wadige`i, brown, brown-red, and aska`li, head; the copperhead snake.
Wadi`yahi--a feminine name of doubtful etymology. An expert
basket-making woman among the East Cherokee, who died in 1895. She
was known to the whites as Mrs. Bushyhead.
Wafford--see Tsuskwanun`ta.
Wa`ginsi--the name of an eddy at the junction of Little Tennessee and
the main Tennessee rivers at Lenoir, in London county, Tenn. The town
is now known to the Cherokee by the same name, of which the meaning
is lost.
waguli`--whippoorwill; the name is an onomatope; the Delaware name
is wekolis.
Wahnenauhi--see Wani`nahi.
wa`huhu`--the screech-owl.
wa`ka--cow; from the Spanish vaca, as is also the Creek waga and the
Arapaho wakuch.
wala`si--the common green frog.
Walasi`yi--"Frog place." 1. A former settlement, known to the whites
as Frogtown, upon the creek of the same name, north of Dahlonega,
in Lumpkin county, Ga. 2. Le Conte and Bullhead Mountains in the
Great Smoky range on the N. C.-Tenn. line, together with the ridge
extending into Sevier county, Tenn., between the Middle and West
forks of Little Pigeon river.
walas`-unul`sti--"it fights frogs," from wala`si, frog, and unul`sti,
"it fights" (habitually); gu`lihu`, "I am fighting." The Prosartes
lanuginosa plant.
Walas`-unulstiyi`--"Place of the plant," walas`-unul`sti, commonly
known to the whites as Fightingtown, from a translation of the latter
part of a name; a former settlement on Fighting creek, near Morgantown,
in Fannin county, Ga.
Walini`--a feminine name, compounded from Wali, another form of Kwali,
"Polly," with a suffix added for euphony.
Wane`-asun`tlunyi--"Hickory footlog place," from wane`i, hickory,
asun-tlun`i (q. v.), footlog, bridge, and yi, locative. A former
settlement, known to the whites as Hickory-log, on Etowah river,
a short distance above Canton, in Cherokee county, Ga.
Wani`nahi`--a feminine name of uncertain etymology; the Wahnenauhi
of the Wahnenauhi manuscript.
Washington--see Wa`situ`na.
Wa`si--the Cherokee form for Moses.
Wa`situ`na, Wa`suntu`na (different dialect forms)--a Cherokee known to
the whites as Washington, the sole survivor of a Removal tragedy. The
name denotes a hollow log (or other cylindrical object) lying on the
ground at a distance; the root of the word is asi`ta, log, and the
w prefix indicates distance.
Wa`sulu`--a large red-brown moth which flies about blossoming tobacco
in the evening.
Wata`gi (commonly written Watauga, also Wataga, Wattoogee, Whatoga,
etc.)--a name occurring in two or more towns in the old Cherokee
country; one was an important settlement on Watauga creek of Little
Tennessee river, a few miles below Franklin, in Macon county, N. C.;
another was traditionally located at Watauga Old Fields, about the
present Elizabethton on Wateuga river, in Carter county, Tenn. The
meaning is lost.
Watau`ga--see Wata`gi.
Watsi`sa--a prominent old Cherokee, known to the whites as Wachesa, a
name which cannot be translated, who formerly lived on Beaverdam creek
of Hiwassee river, below Murphy, in Cherokee county, N. C. From the
fact that the Unicoi turnpike passed near his place, it was locally
known as Wachesa trail.
wa`ya--wolf; an onomatope, an imitation of the animal's howl; cf. the
Creek name, yaha.
Wa`ya`hi--"Wolf place," i. e., place of the Wolf clan; the form
Ani`Wa`ya`hi is not used. Wolftown settlement on upper Soco creek,
on the East Cherokee reservation, in Jackson county, N. C.
Waya Gap--see A`tahi`ta.
Wayeh--see Wayi.
Wayi--"Pigeon"; the modern Cherokee name for Big Pigeon river, in
western N. C.; probably a translation of the English name. It appears
also as Wayeh.
Welch, Lloyd--see Da`si`giya`gi.
wesa--cat.
White-path--see Nunna`hi-tsune`ga.
Willstown--a former important settlement, so-called from the half-breed
chief known to the whites as Red-headed Will, on Will's creek below
Fort Payne, in Dekalb county, Ala. The settlement was frequently
called from him Wili`yi, "Will's place," but this was not the proper
local name.
Wilsini`--The Cherokee name for H. W. Spray, agent and superintendent
for the East Cherokee reservation; an adaptation of his middle name,
Wilson.
Wil-usdi`--"Little Will," from Wili`, Will and usdi`ga or usdi`,
little. The Cherokee name for Colonel W. H. Thomas, for many years
the recognized chief of the eastern band.
Wissactaw--see gahawi`stia.
Wolftown--see Wa`ya`hi.
Wootassite--see Outacity.
Wrosetasatow--see Outacity.
Wude`ligun`yi--the west; literally "there where it (the sun) goes
down," (w prefixed implies distance, yi, locative). See also Usunhi`yi
and wusuhihun`yi.
Wuliga`natutun--excelling all others, either good or bad; it may be
used as equivalent to wastun, "beyond the limit."
wusuhihun`yi--"there where they stay over night," i. e., "the west." An
archaic term used by the narrator of the story of Untsaiyi`.
Xuala--see Ani-Suwa`li.
ya--a suffix denoting principal or real, as tsiskwa`ya, "principal
bird," the sparrow; Ani`-Yunwiya`, "principal or real people," Indians.
Yahula`li--"Yahu`la place," from Yuhu`la, a Cherokee trader said to
have been taken by the spirit people; Yahu`la, seems to be from the
Creek yoho`lo, a name having reference to the song (yoholo), used in
the "black drink" ceremony of the Creeks; thus a`si-yoho`lo, corrupted
into Osceola, signified "the black drink song"; it may, however,
be a true Cherokee word, yahu`lu or yahu`li, the name for a variety
of hickory, also for the "doodle-bug"; Unyahu`la is a feminine name,
but cannot be translated. Yahoola creek, near Dahlonega, in Lumpkin
county, Ga.
Yala`gi--Alarka creek of Little Tennessee river, above the junction
of Tuckasegee, in Swain county, N. C.; the meaning of the name is lost.
yandaska`ga--a faultfinder.
Yan-e`gwa--"Big-Bear," from yanu, bear, and egwa, great, large. A
prominent chief about the year 1800; the name occurs in treaties as
Yonah, Yohanaqua and Yonahequah.
ya`nu--bear.
Ya`nu-dinehun`yi--"where the bears live," from yanu, bear, dinehu`,
"they dwell" (e`hu, "I dwell, I live") and yi, locative. A place on
Oconaluftee river, a short distance above the junction with Tuckasegee,
in Swain county, N. C.
Yanugun`ski--"the bear drowns him" (habitually), from yanu, bear,
and tsigun`iska`, "I am drowning him." A noted East Cherokee chief,
known to the whites as Yonaguska or Drowning-bear.
yan`-utse`stu--"The bear lies on it"; the shield fern (Aspidium).
Ya`nu-u`natawasti`yi--"where the bears wash," (from yanu, bear, and
yi, locative); a former pond in the Great Smoky Mountains, about the
head of Raven Fork, in Swain county, N. C.
Yawa`i--"Yawa place"; a place on Yellow creek of Cheowa river, in
Graham county, N. C.
Yellow-Hill--see Elawa`diyi.
Yohanaqua--see Yan-e`gwa.
yoho-o!--an unmeaning song refrain.
Yonaguska--see Ya`nugun`ski.
Yonah--1. (mountain) see Gadalu`lu. 2. An abbreviated treaty form
for the name of the chief Yana`gwa.
Yonahequah--see Yan-e`gwa.
Ytaua, Ytava--see I`tawa`.
Yu!--an unmeaning song refrain and interjection.
Yuha`li--Euharlee creek, of lower Etowah river, in Bartow county,
Ga. The name is said by the Cherokee to be a corruption of Yufala
(Eufaula), a well known Creek local name.
yunsu`--buffalo; cf. Creek yena`sa, Choctaw yanash, Hichitee ya`nasi.
Yunsa`i--"Buffalo place"; West Buffalo creek of Cheowa river in Graham
county, N. C.; the site of a former Cherokee settlement.
yun`wi--person, man.
Yun`wi Ama`yine`hi--"Water-dwelling people," from yun`wi, person,
and ama`yine`hi, plural of amaye`hi, q. v.; a race of water fairies.
Yun`wi Gunahi`ta--"Long Man"; a formulistic name for the river,
personified as a man with his head resting on the mountain and his
feet stretching down to the lowlands, who is constantly speaking to
those who can understand the message.
Yun`wini`gisgi--"man-eaters," literally, "They eat people"
(habitually), from yun`wi, person, man, and uni, giski, "they eat"
(habitually), from tsikiu`, "I am eating"; the Cherokee name for a
distant cannibal tribe, possibly the Atakapa or the Tonkawa.
Yun`wi-tsulenun`yi--"where man stood," originally yun`wi-dikatagun`yi,
"where the man stands," from yun`wi, person, man, tsita`ga, "I am
standing," and yi, locative; Standing Indian, a high bald mountain
at the head of Nantahala river, in Macon county, N. C.
Yun`wi Tsunsdi`--"little people," from yun`wi, person, people,
and tsunsdi`ga or tsunsdi, plural of usdi`ga or usdi`, little; the
Cherokee fairies.
Yun`wi Usdi`--"little man." A formulistic name for ginseng,
a`tali-guli`, q. v.
Yun`wi-usga`se`ti--"dangerous man, terrible man"; a traditional leader
in the westward migration of Cherokee.
Yun`wiya`--"Indian," literally, "principal or real person," from
yun`wi, person, and ya, a suffix denoting principal or real.
yu`we-yuwehe`--an unmeaning song refrain.
NOTE
[1] Colonel Thomas.