Browse Entries: W

there are 500 entries under the letter W

wabbano

1a n. among certain Indians, a ritual that involves singing, dancing, and conjuration, usually held in the spring and fall.

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wachee

interj. a long-established greeting. Various spellings.

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Wahpooskow

n. See quote.

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wait-a-while match

See quote.

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Wakanda 

n. among certain Plains Indians (as the Assiniboines) the Great Spirit. Various spellings.

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walking boss

a foreman or superintendent of a series of construction camps, logging operations, etc.

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walking portage

See quote.

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walleye pike 

the pickerel, Stizostedion vitreum, of the Great Lakes system.

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walleyed pike

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wallow 

n. a depression formed by buffalo wallowing in mud or, less often, sand.

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wampum 

1 n. a bead or beads of shell, Venus mercenaria, later also of porcelain, important as a kind of currency among eastern Indians.

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wampum bead 

a bead or beads of shell, Venus mercenaria, later also of porcelain, important as a kind of currency among eastern Indians.

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wampum belt 

a belt of wampum (def. 1), often worked in significant designs, used by Indians as a reminder of a treaty or agreement, etc.

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wampum reader

an Indian chief responsible for the care and interpretation of wampum belts.

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wampum shell

a bead or beads of shell, Venus mercenaria, later also of porcelain, important as a kind of currency among eastern Indians.

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wampum-keeper

n. an Indian chief responsible for the care and interpretation of wampum belts.

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wandering seal

a small seal, Phoca vitulina, common on the East Coast.

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wane

1 n. See quote.

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waney 

adj. cut in such a manner as to leave wanes.

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waney boardwood

pine trees cut and trimmed so as to leave wanes.

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waney cut

a manner of trimming logs so as to leave a wane.

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waney pine

pine trees cut and trimmed so as to leave wanes.

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wangan (boat)

1 n. a scow or raft equipped to accommodate loggers while engaged in a drive (def. lb).

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wanigan

1a n. See 1935 quote.

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wapatoo

n. a tuberous root, Sagittaria latifolia. See 1942 quote. Also spelled wap(p)ato.

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wapiti

n. the North American elk or stag, Cervus canadensis.

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wapiti deer

the North American elk or stag, Cervus canadensis.

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wapoose

n. a hare or rabbit, especially the varying hare.

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war belt

among Indians, a wampum belt symbolizing a declaration of war.

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war bonnet

or cap a headdress used by Indians at war.

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war canoe

1 a large Indian canoe, often associated by white men with war.

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war captain 

See war chief 1856 quote.

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war chief

See 1856 quote.

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war club

See quote at casse-tête. [See picture at casse-tête.]

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war dance

a dance performed before a raid or battle; also, a dance simulating a battle.

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war dress

clothing worn by Indians when at war.

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war eagle 

the golden eagle, Aquila chrysaetos, so called because its feathers were highly valued for war bonnets.

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war lodge

1 a teepee or lodge erected as the headquarters of the war chief during a state of war.

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war party 

a number of Indians on the warpath (def. 2a).

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war pipe

among Indians, a pipe symbolic of war.

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war song

a song sung by Indians prior to or during battle.

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war-road

n. a route followed by Indian war parties.

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war-track

n. a route followed by Indian war parties.

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war-whoop 

1 n. a blood-curdling yell uttered by Indians engaged in or about to engage in battle.

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warbird

n. the scarlet tanager, Piranga olivacea.

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Ward

n. under the old ward system in Toronto, an area in the west-central part of the city, formerly populated by low-income immigrants from Europe.

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warden

1a n. in colonial times, an official of a land company who was responsible for disposing of Crown Lands for settlement.

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warden of the forests

in colonial times, an official of a land company who was responsible for disposing of Crown Lands for settlement.

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warden of the plains

in the Red River Settlement, an official having charge of the keeping of law and order on the plains, as during the buffalo hunts.

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wardenship

n. the office and obligations of a warden (def. 2).

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warpath 

1 n. a route followed by Indian war parties.

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warping

n. the action or activity of one who tracks.

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warrior chief

See 1856 quote at war chief.

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warriors' lodge

1 a teepee or lodge erected as the headquarters of the war chief during a state of war.

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wash ((n.))

1a n. an underwater exit from a beaver lodge.

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wash ((v.))

1 v. separate gold from gravel by using water.

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wash out

separate gold from gravel by using water.

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wash up

clean out the riffles, sluice-boxes, blankets, etc. in which gold has been caught in the process of washing the gravel.

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wash-up

1 n. the process by which gold is recovered by cleaning the riffles, sluice-boxes, etc. after gravel is washed.

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washing

n. the proceeds from placer mining.

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waskesew

1 n. the North American elk or stag, Cervus canadensis.

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watap

n. the fine roots of various evergreen trees, especially of the white spruce, used by the Indians as a thread or string in sewing. Also spelled watape, wattap.

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watap kettle

a watertight vessel woven of or sewn with watap, used by Indians for cooking.

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watching waiter

one of two series of converging objects, such as posts, piles of turf, large upright stones, forming a funnel into which big game, such as buffalo, were driven into a pound for slaughter.

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water lot

a piece of land fronting on a lake, river, etc.

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water oats

See 1963 quote at wild rice.

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water privilege 

1 a site on a river, creek, etc. suitable for building a mill run by water power.

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water rice 

See 1963 quote at wild rice.

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water sky

sky having the relatively dark appearance natural to the underside of cloud cover over open (unfrozen) sea.

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water smoke

See quote.

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water snow

See quotes.

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water taxi

a small boat that functions as a short-trip carrier.

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water turkey

the cormorant, Phalacrocorax sp.

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water witch(er) 

See 1947 quote.

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water-bomber

n. a cargo plane especially equipped for carrying large quantities of water to be used in extinguishing forest fires.

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water-bombing

n. fighting forest fires by means of fire bombers.

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water-drum

n. See 1956 quote. [and see picture]

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water-hole

1 n. a hole cut in ice, especially one cut in a river or lake as a source of fresh water.

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water-horse

1 n. newly washed fish.

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water-line

n. a waterway as a route followed by travellers in boats, canoes, etc.

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water-pup

n. a painful kind of boil caused by an organism found in sea water.

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water-rat

n. an aquatic rodent, Ondatra zibethica, common to many parts of North America and widely trapped for its valuable fur.

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Waterloo copper

See quotes. Cp. Wellington copper

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Waterloo harp

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wavey

n. a wild goose, especially the snow goose.

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wavey goose

a wild goose, especially the snow goose.

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wawa ((1))

n. a wild goose, especially the snow goose.

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wawa ((2))((n.))

talk; speech; language; words.

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wawa ((2))((v.))

v. talk; speak.

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way-house

n. a rest house or lodge, often of simple character, used by wayfarers.

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wayside

n. a railway station intermediate between major stations; a way station.

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web

n. one of a pair of webbed frames for walking on top of deep snow. [See picture at snowshoe].

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wedge-board

n. a type of stretcher used for pelts removed by case-skinning.

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weed

n. a smoking mixture varying as to ingredients from tribe to tribe and place to place, but including bearberry or sumac leaves, the inner bark of red-osier dogwood and, often, tobacco.

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weenusk

a large burrowing rodent, Marmota monax, common in eastern and central Canada.

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Weesarkejauk

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Weesukeechak

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Weetigo

1 n. See quotes.

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weiner roast 

a social affair at which frankfurters are roasted (or, more often, boiled) over an open fire, usually after dark, the group engaging in singing and other forms of entertainment.

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wejack

n. a weasel-like fur-bearer, Martes pennanti.

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Wellington copper

a copper coin having the value of half a penny, in circulation in the early nineteenth century. See also Brock copper and picture.

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Wellington token

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Wendigo

1 n. The concept denoted by Weetigo and Wendigo varies from a personified Evil Spirit to a supernatural creature of which there are many, all having fearful characteristics including an insatiable appetite for human beings.

Wendigo trout

a hybrid game fish of the trout family, developed by Canadian biologists.

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Wesakachak

n. See 1784-1812 quote. Various spellings.

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West Block

the block of offices comprising the most westerly of the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa.

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West Coast

the western coast of Canada, especially southwestern British Columbia, including Vancouver Island and, usually, the Queen Charlotte Islands.

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West India

1 the lowest grade of cod for export. Also West India and West Indies.

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West India fish

the lowest grade of cod for export. Also West India and West Indies.

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West India stave

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West Main

n. the westershore of Hudson Bay.

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West Shore

that part of the Newfoundland coast, since 1783 from Cape St. John northward on the east and the entire west coast down to Cape Ray, where by the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713 the French were granted fishery and shore-drying rights, an arrangement that lasted until 1904.

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West, the

1 n. the present Western Ontario.

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Western Block

the block of offices comprising the most westerly of the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa.

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Western boat

a schooner-rigged vessel having a 40-50 foot keel and a 14-15 foot beam, used on the fishing banks.

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Western Canada

the present Western Ontario.

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Western Department

the administrative division of the Hudson's Bay Company extending westward from the Rocky Mountains.

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western flowering dogwood

a species of dogwood, Cornus nuttalli, native to the Pacific Coast, the floral emblem of British Columbia.

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Western Ocean

See quote.

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Western Province

1 Canada West, now Southern Ontario.

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Western Provinces

the provinces of Canada west of Ontario, especially Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta.

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Western settlements

the settlements in the western part of Upper Canada (def. 1).

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western white birch

a variety of white birch.

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western white oak

a species of oak, Quercus garryana, native to southwestern British Columbia and the Pacific coast to the south; Pacific oak.

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western white pine

See 1956 quote.

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Westerner

n. a native or resident of the West (def. 2).

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Westmount

n. a district in Montreal, on the western slope of Mount Royal, long favored by wealthy English-speaking Montrealers.

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wet fishery

See quote at green fishery.

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wewaskish

n. the North American elk or stag, Cervus canadensis.

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Weymouth pine

a tall, stately pine, Pinus strobus, of eastern Canada, much used for shipmasts in colonial days and providing the basis for the lumber industry.

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whabby

n. See 1956 quote.

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whacheer

n. a long-established greeting. Also spelled watcheer.

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whacker 

n. the driver of a bull train of oxen.

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whale line

a heavy rope or line often used for tracking boats or canoes.

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whaleback

1 n. See 1952 quote.

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whaleback hill

See 1952 quote at whaleback (def. 1).

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Wheat Belt

the large tract on the Prairies mainly given over to the growing of wheat.

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Wheat Board

a government body having the function of regulating the buying and selling of wheat.

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wheat miner

a farmer who grows wheat exclusively and intensively, often without proper regard for soil conservation.

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wheat pool

1 n. a co-operative formed by westerfarmers to handle their own grain.

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wheat province

a one of the three Prairie Provinces, especially Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

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wheel-barrow outfit

See quote.

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wheel-dog

n. of a dog team, the dog nearest the sled in a tandem hitch, or either of the two dogs nearest the sled in a fan hitch. [See pictures at fan hitch and tandem hitch.]

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wheeler

of a dog team, the dog nearest the sled in a tandem hitch, or either of the two dogs nearest the sled in a fan hitch.

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whelping ice

See 1918 quote.

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whig

1 n. in colonial times, a person in favor of self-government.

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whiggery

n. the principles of the Whigs (def. 1).

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Whiggism

n. the principles and policies of the Liberal Party of Canada.

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whim stick

See quote.

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whisk-e-jonish

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whiskey

(in compounds).

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whisky blanc

a drinkable dilution of ethyl alcohol, distilled from cereals.

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whisky feast

a session of heavy drinking that accompanied the trading activities when Indians or others visited a post.

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whisky johnny

a gray, crestless jay, Perisoreus canadensis.

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whisky peddler 

a person trading or selling whisky, especially as an illicit business, to the Indians.

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whisky post

an establishment operated for the illicit selling of whisky to Indians.

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whisky rancher

a person trading or selling whisky, especially as an illicit business, to the Indians.

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whisky runner

a person trading or selling whisky, especially as an illicit business, to the Indians.

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whisky smuggler

a person trading or selling whisky, especially as an illicit business, to the Indians.

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whisky trader

a person trading or selling whisky, especially as an illicit business, to the Indians.

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whisky white

a drinkable dilution of ethyl alcohol, distilled from cereals.

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whisky-boy

n. a person responsible for dispensing the liquor at a barn raising, logging bee, etc.

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whisky-jack

n. a gray, crestless jay, Perisoreus canadensis.

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whisky-jay

n. a gray, crestless jay, Perisoreus canadensis.

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whisky-john

n. a gray, crestless jay, Perisoreus canadensis.

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whisky-trading post

an establishment operated for the illicit selling of whisky to Indians.

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whisky-wine

n. a potent mixture of whisky-blanc, and red wine.

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whiskyite

n. a person who favors the legal sale of spiritous liquor.

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whistle stop 

a small, unimportant town or village, so called because trains indicated by a whistle whether or not a stop was to be made.

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whistle-punk

n. a person who relays the shouted signals of the hooktender to the donkey operator by blowing a whistle or operating an electric whistle (an occupation now largely displaced by electronic devices).

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whistle-wing

n. any of several ducks that make a whistling sound in flight, especially the golden eye.

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whistler

1 n. a large marmot, Marmota caligata, of the western mountains.

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whistling badger

a large marmot, Marmota caligata, of the western mountains.

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whistling duck

any of several ducks that make a whistling sound in flight, especially the golden eye.

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whistling frog

the spring peeper, Hyla crucifer, of eastern North America.

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whistling hare

a small mammal of the genus Ochotona, found in the western mountain region.

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whistling john

a gray, crestless jay, Perisoreus canadensis.

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whistling marmot

a large marmot, Marmota caligata, of the western mountains.

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whistling pig

a large marmot, Marmota caligata, of the western mountains.

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whistling swan 

a wild swan, Olor columbianus, which breeds in northern Canada and Alaska.

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white ((adj.))

1 adj. of or associated with the white man (def. 1), as opposed to the Indian.

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white ((adv.))

1 adv. fairly; decently.

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white ((n.))

1 n. a person of non-Indian blood, especially a European or one of European origins.

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white bass

See 1963 quote.

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white bear

1 a polar bear.

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white birch 

1a a species of birch, Betula papyrifera, found in many parts of Canada.

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white bird

an Arctic sparrow, Plectrophenax nivalis.

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white buffalo

1 an albino buffalo.

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white carp

the carp sucker, Carpiodes carpio.

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white cedar 

a species of cedar, Thuja occidentalis, found from southern Manitoba eastward; also, the soft, brittle wood of this tree.

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white coal

water used to generate hydro-electric power; also, the power so generated.

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white crane

a species of crane, Grus americana, which nests in western Canada.

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White Dall sheep

the white sheep, Ovis dalli, of the mountains of the Northwest.

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White Eskimo

a member of a tribe of Eskimos, also called Copper Eskimos, reported to have blond individuals among them.

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White Fathers

See quote.

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white fox

1 a smallish fox, Alopex lagopus, of the northern regions, white in winter but blue-gray to brownish at other times.

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White Fyfe (wheat)

a strain of fast-ripening wheat formerly in wide use in Canada.

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white goose

a white goose, especially Chen hyperborea.

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white governor

See 1828 quote.

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white grouse 

a rock or willow ptarmigan, in winter plumage.

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white hare

a species of large hare, Lepus arcticus, having white winter fur, found in the Barren Grounds.

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white harp

a young harp seal, so called because of its furry, white coat.

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white heather

a shrub, Cassiope tetragona, having mosslike foliage and found in the Arctic regions.

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white Indian

n. an Indian friendly to the whites; a peaceful Indian.

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white kloochman

a white woman.

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white man 

1 n. a person of non-Indian blood, especially a European or one of European origins.

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white maple

1 the mountain maple, Acer spicatum, found in Canada from Saskatchewan eastward to Newfoundland.

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white mother

in Indian parlance, the Queen of England; specifically Queen Victoria.

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white owl

a large white owl, Nyctea nyctea, native to the Arctic regions, ranging in winter south into the United States.

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white partridge

a rock or willow ptarmigan, in winter plumage.

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white pike

a large species of pike, Esox lucius, found in northern waters.

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white pine 

1a a tall, stately pine, Pinus strobus, of eastern Canada, much used for shipmasts in colonial days and providing the basis for the lumber industry.

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white poplar 

a species of poplar, Populus tremuloides, found throughout Canada; trembling aspen.

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white sheep

1 a goatlike mammal, Oreamnos montanus, found in the western mountains and related to the European chamois.

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white spring (salmon)

n. a spring salmon, having white flesh.

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white spruce

a species of spruce, Picea glauca, found from the Rockies to Newfoundland, much used for pulpwood and lumber.

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white squaw

a white woman.

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white trillium

any of several trilliums having a flower resembling a lily, especially Trillium grandiflorum, the floral emblem of Ontario.

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white trout

a North American char, Cristivomer namaycush, having important commercial value.

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white wavey

a white goose, such as the snow goose or the lesser snow goose, Chen hyporborea hyperborea.

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white whale

the beluga, Delphinapterus leucas, of the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans.

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white whisky

a drinkable dilution of ethyl alcohol, distilled from cereals.

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white whisky-john

the northern shrike, Lanus borealis.

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white wolf

a white color phase of the common wolf, Canis lupus.

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white-ash breeze

of canoes, boats, etc., propulsion by means of paddles or oars, as opposed to wind-filled sails.

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white-flesher

n. a partridge-like game bird, Bonasa umbellus, occurring in many subspecies across Canada.

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white-fox economy

an artificial economic pattern of Eskimo life dominated by the drive to supply the demand for the fur of the Arctic fox.

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white-front

n. a grayish-brown goose, Anser albifrons, having a white face and a black-blotched breast and breeding in the Canadian Arctic.

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white-fronted goose

a grayish-brown goose, Anser albifrons, having a white face and a black-blotched breast and breeding in the Canadian Arctic.

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white-head

n. See bald eagle 1958 quote.

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white-headed eagle

See bald eagle 1958 quote.

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white-out

1 n. a meteorological phenomenon in which the light from a cloudy sky is balanced by that reflected off the snow on the ground, resulting in a dazzling whiteness and the neutralization of all significant features of the landscape, including shadows and the horizon.

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white-tailed eagle

See bald eagle 1958 quote.

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white-water man

1 an expert at handling a canoe in rapids and riffles (def. 1 b).

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white-wing

1 n. the willet, Catoptrophorus semipalmatus.

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white-winged crossbill 

a crossbill, Loxia leucoptera, of eastern North America.

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whiteback

n. a young harp seal, so called because of its furry, white coat.

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whitecaps

n. pl. See quote.

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whitecoat

n. a young harp seal, so called because of its furry, white coat.

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whitefish

n. a widely distributed North American food fish, Coregonus sp., especially C. clupeaformis.

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whitetail 

n. the Virginia deer, Odocoileus virginianus.

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whitetail(ed) deer

the Virginia deer, Odocoileus virginianus.

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whitetailed ptarmigan

a ptarmigan, Lagopus leucurus, native to the mountainous areas of the West and Northwest.

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whitewashed American

See quote.

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whitewood

1 n. any of several poplars, as Balm of Gilead and white poplar.

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whiting

n. See 1792 quote.

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whole beaver

n. the skin of a full-grown four-year-old beaver; hence, a unit of value based on such a skin.

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Whoop-up

n. Fort Whoop-up, in southern Alberta, principle centre for the illicit whisky trade with the Indians.

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whoop-up

n. a noisy party or other celebration.

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whooper 

n. a species of crane, Grus americana, which nests in western Canada.

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whooping crane

a species of crane, Grus americana, which nests in western Canada.

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wickiup 

n. a rude shelter, as a lean-to; originally a brush or mat-covered shelter among certain Algonkian Indians.

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wickiup roof

a roof of brush, bark, reeds, etc. such as might be used on a wickiup (def. 1).

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widow-maker

1 n. a loose limb, rampike, or dead tree which is apt to fall and injure somebody.

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wiener roast 

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wife of the country

an Indian or Métis woman who was a trader's common-law wife.

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wig

n. the spinous process on the vertebrae in the hump above the shoulders of a buffalo, much prized as a delicacy.

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wigwam ((n.)) 

1a n. a kind of dwelling used by Indians from Manitoba to the Atlantic Provinces, characterized by an arched or conical structure of poles covered with hides, bark, rush mats, etc.

wigwam ((v.))

v. spend the winter in the interior.

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wigwam shanty

a temporary dwelling built by white men in the bush.

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wigwam village

an Indian encampment.

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wild asparagus

milkweed, Asclepias syriaca.

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wild cat

1 one of seral varieties of lynx, especially the Canada lynx.

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wild celery

1 an aquatic plant, Vallisneria spiralis, having long, ribbonlike leaves; tape grass.

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wild cherry

any of several species of cherry, Prunus sp., common in eastern North America; pincherry.

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wild geranium

the cranesbill, Geranium sp.

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wild ginger

See 1830 quote.

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wild goat

1 the pronghorn, Antilocapra americana, of the southern prairies.

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wild goose

a kind of large gray goose, Branta canadensis, with a black head and neck and white cheek patches.

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wild grape

1 any of several species of wild grape, Vitis sp., common in eastern Canada.

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wild land(s) 

land that has not been settled on or developed in any way.

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wild oats

See wild rice 1963 quote.

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wild onion

a plant of the genus Allium, as A. acuminatum of the Pacific Coast.

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wild ox

n. the musk-ox, Ovibos moschatus.

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wild parsnip

1 a wild plant, Heracleum lanatum.

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wild pigeon 

a migratory wild pigeon, Ectopistes migratorius, which appeared in immense flocks during August up to the late 19th century, becoming extinct by 1914.

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wild potato

1 a tuberous root, Sagittaria latifolia.

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wild red cherry

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wild rice

See 1963 quote.

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wild rose

any uncultivated rose, Rosa sp., as R. acicularis, the floral emblem of Alberta.

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wild tea

either of two closely related evergreen shrubs, Ledum groenlandicum and L. decumbens var. palustre.

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wild turkey

the little brown crane, Grus canadensis.

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wild turnip

1 n. jack-in-the-pulpit, Arisaema triphyllum.

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wild-and-woolly 

adj. characterized by uncouth, untamed behavior.

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willow

n. a partridge-like game bird, Bonasa umbellus, occurring in many subspecies across Canada.

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willow bird

a widely distributed ptarmigan, Lagopus lagopus albus.

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willow grouse

1 a widely distributed ptarmigan, Lagopus lagopus albus.

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willow partridge

1 a widely distributed ptarmigan, Lagopus lagopus albus.

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willow pheasant

a partridge-like game bird, Bonasa umbellus, occurring in many subspecies across Canada.

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willow ptarmigan

a widely distributed ptarmigan, Lagopus lagopus albus.

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wind chill

the rate at which exposed human skin cools under given conditions of temperature and wind speed. When the wind chill count is 2,400, exposed flesh begins to freeze.

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wind pants

See quote.

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wind-charger

n. a generator driven by a windmill, the electricity generated being used to charge storage batteries; also, the windmill itself.

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wind-shell

n. a light, unlined outer garment serving as protection from the wind.

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wind-throw timber

[a tree blown down by the wind]; such trees collectively.

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windbreak

1 n. anything used as a temporary barrier to break the force of the wind, especially when camping.

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windbreaker

n. a wind-resistant jacket that fastens to the neck and has close fitting cuffs and waist.

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windfall

1a n. a tree blown down by the wind.

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windflower

n. any of several anemones.

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windlass press

v. a type of fur press.

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winehound

n. a derelict who drinks cheap wine.

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wing

1 n. formerly, any of the six men on the line, three on each side of the snap, or the flying wing (the only position for which the term is in current use). The three men on the right and the left were known respectively as the inside wing, the middle wing, and the outside wing.

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wing-boom

n. a line of logs attached to each other by chains at either side of a sheer-boom.

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winger

n. in hockey and lacrosse, either of the two players on the left and right of the centre man of a forward line.

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Winnipeg couch

a simple, inexpensive couch which could be opened out into a double bed.

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Winnipeg goldeye

a small edible fish, Hiodon alosoides, native to the Lake Winnipeg region, but now found over a wider range in the Northwest.

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Winnipeg smoked goldeye

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winter

v. spend the winter in the interior.

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winter allowance

n. certain special supplies allowed by a fur company for an officer or employee wintering in the interior.

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winter beaver

beaver skins taken with their winter growth of hair, or when prime.

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winter canoe

a sturdy small boat long used in crossing the St. Lawrence in winter, its trained crew propelling it, often loaded with freight and passengers, through swift currents choked with ice-cakes and manhandling it over the sharp, uneven ice banks, or bourdigneaux.

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winter carnival

an organized winter social activity featuring winter sports, beauty contests, ice-sculpture, etc.

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winter club

a club providing members with facilities for skating, curling, and other social activities during the winter.

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winter dance

a ceremonial performance given by one of the Dancing Societies of the Kwakiutl and other coastal tribes during the winter months. Hence, winter dancing.

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winter express

the winter trip of the express (def. 1).

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winter festival

See potlatch (def. 2a) 1964 quote.

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winter field

a region suitable for the grazing of cattle, sheep, or horses in winter.

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winter fish

1 See quote.

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winter grounds

the region where the winter hunt is carried on.

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winter hawk

See winterer (def. 4) quotes.

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winter hunt

among Indians, the hunt carried out in winter, the most productive hunting season.

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winter hunting grounds

the region where the winter hunt is carried on.

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winter ice

See 1958 quote.

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winter madness

a state of mental unbalance caused by isolation in remote northern outposts.

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winter moccasin

an outsize moccasin roomy enough to accommodate duffle wrappers or heavy socks.

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winter outpost

a trading post in the interior; especially a temporary trading station dependent on a larger and more permanent post.

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winter packet

the winter mail and mail delivery; the mail carried by the winter express.

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winter partner

a stock-holding partner in the Montreal-based fur companies, especially the North West Company who represented the company the year round at the trading posts in the fur country.

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winter post

a trading post used only in winter.

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winter range 

a region suitable for the grazing of cattle, sheep, or horses in winter.

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winter road

1 a route used in winter, especially by dog drivers.

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winter rustling

of cattle, horses, etc., winter foraging by pawing through snow to get to the grass beneath.

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winter shoe

an outsize moccasin roomy enough to accommodate duffle wrappers or heavy socks.

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winter ski

one of a pair o runners attached to aircraft for landing on snow and ice, especially common on bush planes in the North.

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winter trader

a trader who serves trappers a hunters during the winter season.

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winter trading post

a trading post used only in winter.

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winter trail

a route used in winter, especially by dog drivers.

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winter work

the recovery of gold- or platinum-bearing gravel through burning (def. 3) and drifting.

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winterer

1 n. a fisherman who wintered at a fishing station ; a settler as opposed to a seasonal fisherman.

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wintering allowance

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wintering ground(s)

1 the region in which a fur trader carried on his business throughout the winter in the fur country.

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wintering house

a trading post used only in winter.

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wintering partner

1 a stock-holding partner in the Montreal-based fur companies, especially the North West Company who represented the company the year round at the trading posts in the fur country.

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wintering post

a trading post used only in winter.

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wintering share

the share of stock held by a wintering partner (def. 1).

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wintering station

a trading post used only in winter.

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winterkill ((n.)) 

1 n. death (of plants, animals, fish, or birds) brought on by extreme winter conditions.

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winterkill ((v.)) 

v. die or cause to die through exposure to extreme winter conditions.

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winterman

n. a seasoned fur trader or voyageur who spent his winters in the fur country.

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wire

n. a telegram.

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wire birch

a small species of birch, Betula populifolia, native to the Maritimes, southern Quebec and eastern Ontario.

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wishakapucka

n. either of two closely related evergreen shrubs, Ledum groenlandicum and L. decumbens var. palustre.

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wishakapucka tea

an infusion made from the leaves of L. groenlandicum or from the flowers of L. palustre.

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witch-pole

n. See quote.

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withe ((n.)) 

n. See 1854 quote.

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withe ((v.))

v. fasten with withes.

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withing

n. the process of lashing the pieces of a lumber raft together with specially made withes.

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wizzekapukka

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Wobbly 

n. a member of the International Workers of the World (I.W.W.).

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wolf certificate

a certificate issued by a county and entitling the bearer to a bounty payment for killing a wolf.

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wolf dog

a sled-dog having wolf ancestry.

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wolf hunter

See wolfer 1930 quote.

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wolf jaw

actinomycosis, a disease common in cattle.

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wolf range

See quote.

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wolf-fire

n. See quote.

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wolf-juice

n. See quotes.

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wolf-willow

n. any of several shrubs, especially the silverberry.

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wolfberry

n. the snowberry, Symphoricarpos occidentalis.

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wolfer 

n. See 1930 quote.

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wolver

n. See wolfer 1930 quote.

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wolverine 

1a n. a large fur-bearing animal, Gulo luscus, of the northern forests and tundra, noted for its guile and craftiness.

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wolverine devil

a large fur-bearing animal, Gulo luscus, of the northern forests and tundra, noted for its guile and craftiness.

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woman's boat

See oomiak and picture.

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woman's head

See niggerhead (def. 2a) 1898 quote.

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woman's knife

n. See ooloo and picture.

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women's boat

See oomiak and picture.

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wongan

n. See wanigan.

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wood

v. of a steamboat or locomotive, take on wood for fuel.

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wood bison

a variety of bison, Bison bison athabascae, found in lightly wooded regions of northern Alberta and the Mackenzie District.

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wood buffalo

a variety of bison, Bison bison athabascae, found in lightly wooded regions of northern Alberta and the Mackenzie District.

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wood buffalo country

See 1946 quote.

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wood caribou

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wood cat

the pine marten, Martes americana.

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wood deer

a species of caribou (def. 1), Rangifer tarandus, of the forested areas of northern Canada.

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wood duck

See 1866 quote.

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wood gopher

a species of wood rat, Neotoma cinerea.

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wood grouse 

a grouse, Canachites canadensis, dark gray barred with black, found in swampy woods.

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wood island

See bluff (def. 3a) 1957 quote.

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wood partridge

a grouse, Canachites canadensis, dark gray barred with black, found in swampy woods.

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wood pigeon

a migratory wild pigeon, Ectopistes migratorius, which appeared in immense flocks during August up to the late 19th century, becoming extinct by 1914.

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wood rat

1 an aquatic rodent, Ondatra zibethica, common to many parts of North America and widely trapped for its valuable fur.

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wood road

a road used for hauling wood, either from a woodlot or from a lumber camp.

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wood rover

n. an unlicensed trader who ranged the forest in search of furs.

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wood sled

a low, sturdy sleigh drawn by oxen or horses and used to haul wood in winter.

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wood thrush

a kind of thrush, Hylocichla mustelina, found in wooded areas of eastern Canada.

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wood ticket

a ticket given by steamer captains in return for wood taken on as fuel, the supplier later claiming payment at the steamship company's head office.

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wood up

of a steamboat or locomotive, take on wood for fuel.

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wood wolf

1 a small wolf, Canis latrans, usually associated with the prairies but found across Canada, mainly in the region south of the range of the larger timber wolf.

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wood-claim

n. a small timber limit (def. 1a) such as might be used by a hand-logger.

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wood-ranger

1 n. See cruiser (def. 1) 1942 quote.

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wood-tick

n. a kind of tick, Dermacentor andersoni, a cause of spotted fever, tick fever, or Rocky Mountain fever.

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woodboat

n. See quote.

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woodchuck 

n. a large burrowing rodent, Marmota monax, common in eastern and central Canada.

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woodhawk

n. See quote.

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wooding stage

a place where wood-burning steamers took on wood for fuel.

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wooding stop

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wooding-up

n. the taking on of wood for fuel by steamers.

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woodland bison

a variety of bison, Bison bison athabascae, found in lightly wooded regions of northern Alberta and the Mackenzie District.

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woodland buffalo

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woodland caribou

a species of caribou (def. 1), Rangifer tarandus, of the forested areas of northern Canada.

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woodland reindeer

a species of caribou (def. 1), Rangifer tarandus, of the forested areas of northern Canada.

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woodland wolf

a large, usually gray, wolf, Canis lupus occidentalis, found in the northern forest.

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woodlot

1 n. a tract of land left uncleared on a farm and used as a source of wood, and as a grazing area for cattle.

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woods boss

the person supervising logging operations over a wide area in a timber limit (def. 1a); a company's manager of operations in a logging area.

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woods camp

a camp at which logging (def. 2) is carried on.

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woods caribou

a species of caribou (def. 1), Rangifer tarandus, of the forested areas of northern Canada.

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woods manager

the person supervising logging operations over a wide area in a timber limit (def. 1a); a company's manager of operations in a logging area.

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woods superintendent

the person supervising logging operations over a wide area in a timber limit (def. 1a); a company's manager of operations in a logging area.

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woods-cruising

n. the work of a cruiser (def. 1).

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woods-runner

1 n. an unlicensed trader who ranged the forest in search of furs.

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woodser

n. a fur-post employee whose task it was to obtain firewood and lumber in the woods.

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woodshock

n. a weasel-like fur-bearer, Martes pennanti.

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woodsworker

n. a person who works in the bush, especially a logger or pulpcutter.

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woolly dog

a species of dog whose wool was used in weaving by the Coast Salish Indians.

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woolly Labrador tea

See 1955 quote.

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woolly-whipper

n. a snowstorm accompanied by high winds and intense cold.

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work bee

a voluntary co-operative undertaking to do some task requiring the efforts of a number of people.

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worm fence 

a kind of rail fence in which the rails, often of split cedar, in panels of six or eight, interlock with each other in a zigzag pattern, being sometimes supported by crossed-rail uprights.

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wrangle 

1 v. take care of or be in charge of saddle or pack horses.

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wrangle field

a fenced field into which saddle horses are turned loose to pasture.

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wrangle pasture

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wrangler 

1 n. a person having charge of a bunch of saddle horses, pack horses, etc.

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wrapper

n. a sheet of canvas or tarpaulin used to cover up the load on a dog-sled.

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wusquay

n. a birchbark canoe.

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