lodge [ME < OF loge hut, of Gmc origin; influenced in some meanings by Cdn F loge hut, of similar origin]
1a n.
See also: beaver lodge
- 1744  He says these Skins are extremely white, and have a fine Lustre, no snow being whiter, and have a fine long Fur or Hair; he has seen 15 taken of that Colour out of one Lodge or Pond.
- 1821, 1900  The Beaver is easier taken in his Lodge. . . .
- 1955  (1959)  Around the lodge were rafts of poles gnawed into handy lengths, waiting to be taken below.
1b n.
See also: muskrat house
- 1896  Wisagatchak blew upon the muskrats driving them back, saying, "Go, build lodges for your children, and wherever there is a people they shall know where you live and shall use your skins."
- 1921  The muskrat's little island lodge among the rushes is erected upon a foundation of mud and reeds that rises about two feet before it protrudes above the surface of the water.
2a n. an Indian dwelling, as a teepee, or wigwam.
See also: Indian lodge teepee wigwam ((n.)) (def. 1a)
- 1765-75  (1933)  If there be aney Young Garl in this Lodg or hut that aney Man of a Differant Hut Has a Likeing for he will Seat among them.
- 1849  In winter the lodges are removed to sheltered situations in the depth of the wood.
- 1908  Teepees were to be seen in all directions from our camp--the lodges of the Indians and half-breeds.
- 1966  The peaked lodge differed in having a ridge pole like a modern tent. . . .
2b n. Hist.
See also: tent (def. 1)
- 1820  (1823)  A large tent or lodge, was prepared for the important occasion, by the men of the party, none of the women being allowed to enter.
- 1896  Our lodge was blown full of snow, burying us and the dogs in its driftings, and was finally blown down altogether, and would have been blown away had we not clung to it.
- 1932  . . . "tent" in the parlance of Hudson's Bay journals was applied to a small hut or shanty of any construction, and especially to the lodges, probably built of logs, earth and moss, in which the Company's servants lived while hunting, trapping, fishing or lumbering during the winter
3 n.
See also: tent (def. 2)
- 1801  (1927)  These people informed us that we were close to another great rapid and that there were several lodges of their relations in the vicinity.
- 1879  The Indians number over one-hundred lodges; all Siouxs.
- 1939  Next year, Mr. Christie went out to Qu'Appelle to pay the treaty money, but to his amazement he found nearly 500 lodges assembled there.
4a † n.