different between wigwag vs wigwam

English

Alternative forms

• wig-wag (noun, verb and adverb)

Etymology

wig (“to wag, waggle”) + wag (“to swing from side to side”). The noun is derived from the verb.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?w??wa?/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /?w???wæ?/
• Hyphenation: wig?wag

Noun

wigwag (plural wigwags)

1. Any of a number of mechanical or electrical devices which cause a component to oscillate between two states.
   1. A device that causes one or more lights to flash in a preset pattern.
      1. (film, television) A red light near the door of a sound stage that flashes to indicate that cameras are rolling inside the stage and that all people and vehicles outside should remain quiet; a red-eye.
      2. (road transport) A device used to cause lamps installed on a motor vehicle, especially an emergency vehicle such as an ambulance or police car, to flash as a warning.
      3. (road transport) A device with multiple (often two), alternately flashing lights which is installed at a railway level crossing (or grade crossing), a movable bridge, etc., to warn vehicular traffic to stop.
   2. (watchmaking) An instrument that creates a wigwagging motion for polishing.
   3. (road transport) A warning device inside the cabin of a truck that causes a mechanical arm to drop into view when the pressure in the airbrake system of the truck becomes too low for the brakes to be reliably deployed.
   4. (US, rail transport, dated) A grade crossing signal with a swinging motion used to indicate an approaching train.
2. (US, military, historical) A signal sent by waving a flag to and fro.

Verb

wigwag (third-person singular simple present wigwags, present participle wigwagging, simple past and past participle wigwagged)

1. To move gently in one direction and then another; to wig or wiggle, to wag or waggle.
2. An act of wigwagging.
3. To oscillate between two states.
4. (US, military, historical) To send a signal by waving a flag to and fro.

Synonyms

• wag
• waggle
• wig
• wiggle

Derived terms

• wigwagger
• wigwaggy

See also

• zigzag

Adverb

wigwag (not comparable)

1. With a wigwagging or to-and-fro motion.

Further reading

• wigwag on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
• wig wag (truck braking systems) on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
• wig-wag (automobile) on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
• wig-wag (sound stage) on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
• wigwag (railroad) on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
• wigwags on Wikimedia Commons.Wikimedia Commons (rail transport)
• wigwag at OneLook Dictionary Search

English

Etymology

From Western Abenaki wigwôm or Eastern Abenaki (Penobscot) wigwom (both meaning "house"), from Proto-Algonquian *wi·kiwa·?mi (“house”). Doublet of wickiup.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?w??w??m/

Noun

wigwam (plural wigwams)

1. A dwelling having an arched framework overlaid with bark, hides, or mats, used by Native Americans in the northeastern United States.
2. (possibly dated) Any more or less similar dwelling used by indigenous people in other parts of the world.
   • 1845 edition, Charles Darwin, Journal and Remarks (The Voyage of the Beagle):

     The Fuegian wigwam resembles, in size and dimensions, a haycock. It merely consists of a few broken branches stuck in the ground, and very imperfectly thatched on one side with a few tufts of grass and rushes.

Translations

Derived terms

• wigwam for a goose's bridle

Verb

wigwam (third-person singular simple present wigwams, present participle wigwamming, simple past and past participle wigwammed)

1. (transitive) To dry (flax or straw) by standing it outside in the shape of a wigwam.

See also

• other traditional Native American dwellings:
  • hogan (used by the Navajo in the southwestern United States)
  • igloo (used by the Inuit, made of snow)
  • teepee (used in the Great Plains)
  • tupik (used by the Inuit during the summer)
  • wetu (used by the Wampanoag in the northeastern United States)
  • wickiup (used in the southwestern and western United States)
  • wigwam (used in the northeastern United States)

References

Italian

Etymology

Borrowed from English wigwam.

Noun

wigwam m (invariable)

1. wigwam

Polish

Etymology

Borrowed from English wigwam.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?v?i?.vam/

Noun

wigwam m inan

1. wigwam

Declension

Usage notes

• Sometimes incorrectly used to refer to a teepee.

Potawatomi

Noun

wigwam

1. house

References

• Donald Perrot (2017) Memejek Ebodewadmimyak: Mnokmek, Amazon.com