DCHP-1 Online

squaw † [< Algonk.; cf. Cree iskwāo woman]

• 1 n. an Indian woman, especially a wife.

  • Although squaw is the normal and acceptable English term for an Indian woman, it is used in some contexts, especially by white men, with derogatory connotations. Moreover, the term is often resented by Indians who are not Algonkian-speaking, for it is to them an English word, one having no significance in their own languages.

  • c1745  (1898)  At this place ye Squaws came down to the edge of the river, dancing and behaving themselves in the most brutish manner that is possible for human kind and taking us prisoners by the arms, one squaw on each side of a prisoner, they led us up to the village and placed themselves in a large circle round us.
  • 1743  (1949)  [a Woman Es' qu 'u]
  • 1827  (1829)  A Highlandman and a squaw beget an infernal progeny.
  • 1911  "If you go I will run off into the backwoods with the first wild Indian that wants a squaw."
  • 1957  "We'll have a bunch of squaws to clean the fish and put it in packages."

• 2 n. an Eskimo woman.

  • 1964  A clear picture of that old squaw is beyond description.

• 3 n. Fig., Derog. See quote.

  • 1891  Tecumseh, it is said, rose from the council, dashed his sword on the table, and denounced Porter as a miserable old squaw.