DCHP-1 Online

kayak ((1)) 1 Various spellings [< Esk.]

• 1 n. a light sealskin boat completely decked except for a cockpit to accommodate the hunter, who propels the craft with a double-bladed paddle.

  • 1576  (1889)  [Their boates are made all of Seales skinnes, with a keele of wood within the skin: the proportion of them is like a Spanish shallop, saue only they be flat in the bottome, and sharpe at both ends.]
  • 1770  (1792)  At nine o'clock, Attuiock, Tooklavinia, his brother . . . and Etuiock, the nephew, a youth of fifteen; came up here in their kyacks, and breakfasted with me.
  • 1897  The Eskimos use . . . its bones for kayak frames and other purposes.
  • 1942  The natural genius of Eskimo workmanship is exploited fully in the building of a kyak, those light, buoyant seaworthy craft, which are truly capable of crossing the Atlantic . . . The capable hands of the Eskimo measure the boat for beam and draft with outspread fingers, crosspieces are fitted and securely lashed with rawhide to the main skeletal framework, which is covered with sealskins in a wet state. When dry, the skins have a drum-like tension, supply rigidity to the framework, and are waterproofed at the seams with seal blood.
  • 1960  Do you know that when Eskimos go on a hunt they take lactating women with them? Think of it, so much nimbler than a cow or a goat, can be packed in a kayak; have teats will travel.
  • 1965  A considerable amount of evidence of transitory historic occupation was found in the area: tent rings, a variety of fox traps and meat caches, markers and kayak rests.

• 2 n. any boat fashioned after the Eskimo canoe.

  • 1958  Two daring experts of the Kayak [sic] . . . are practising the handling of this light craft in preparation for a proposed trip to South America.
  • 1964  They will be followed by several power boat races, kayak races, water skiing demonstrations by the Wizard Water Ski Club and a host of other aquatic events.