gypsum or "mica"

[Koontz John E]

On Tue, 3 Sep 2002 Rgraczyk at aol.com wrote:
> John.Koontz at colorado.edu writes:
> > I suspect, with no real evidence, that 'season' is a chance homophone,
> > ...

> It's interesting that awa' 'earth, land' also means 'season' in Crow.

It looks like the chance homophone theory is out the door!

Teton        ma(N)khaN' 'ground, earth'
             o'ma(N)khaN 'a season, winter or summer; a half year season'

Omaha-Ponca  maNdhiN'kka 'ground, earth'
             umaN'dhiNkka 'season'

Osage        maN[dh]iN'hka 'earth'
             omaN'iNhka 'year'

Kaw          maN[y]iN'kka 'earth'
             omaN'iNkka 'year, season'

Quapaw       ma(N)niN'kka 'earth'
             oma(N)'nikka 'year'

Winnebago    maNaN 'earth, ground, year'

It looks homophony or the a locative form (which would seem to require a
verbal root for those who are interested) is the rule.

JEK