punkie

English

Alternative forms

punky

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /ˈpʌŋkiː/
Rhymes: -ʌŋki

Etymology 1

Entered English via Jersey Dutch; originally from a Munsee word like *pónkwes (the latter part of which is a diminutive suffix), to which the Dutch applied the diminutive suffix -je. Compare Unami punkw (“dust”),[1][2] Punxsutawney (from Unami punkwës utènay, 'sandfly town').

Noun

punkie (plural punkies)

(US) A small two-winged fly or midge of the family Ceratopogonidae, which bites and then sucks the blood of mammals; the biting midge; sandfly.

Etymology 2

Noun

punkie (plural punkies)

(US) A fish, Lepomis gibbosus.
Synonym: pumpkinseed
- 1950, National Wildlife and Conservation Digest, volume 1-2:
  Unless a small hook is used, meager results are secured in proportion to the antics of the cork or bobber, which in good "punkie" territory is likely to jiggle, stand on end and depart bottomward on short notice.

References

Lenape Talking Dictionary, punkw
Robert K. Barnhart (editor), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology (H. W. Wilson, 1988), page 864: "Probably borrowed from Algonquian (Delaware) ponk, literally, living ashes."

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[1] Lenape Talking Dictionary, punkw

[2] Robert K. Barnhart (editor), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology (H. W. Wilson, 1988), page 864: "Probably borrowed from Algonquian (Delaware) ponk, literally, living ashes."