‖ roanoke
(ˈrəʊənəʊk)
Also 7 rawranoke, roanoake, -oack, 8 roenoke.
[From the Powhatan or Virginian dialect of Algonkin.]
An inferior kind of wampum made and used by the natives of Virginia.
| 1624 Capt. Smith's Virginia iii. 418 Rawranoke or white beads that occasion as much dissention among the Salvages, as gold and siluer amongst Christians. 1656 Stat. Virginia (1823) I. 397 Peeces of eight that are good and of silver shall pass for five shillings, and Roanoake and Wompom⁓peeke to keep their wonted value. 1672 Sir W. Talbot Discov. J. Lederer 27 Their currant Coyn of small shells, which they call Roanoack or Peack. 1705 R. Beverley Hist. Virginia (1722) iii. i. 141 Upon his Neck, and Wrists, hang Strings of Beads, Peak and Roenoke. 1859 Bartlett Dict. Amer. (ed. 2) 368 Roanoke, Indian shell money; so called in Virginia. 1900 Harper's Mag. Mar. 511 Silver bangles, and ear-bobs, and strings of roanoke. |