DCHP-2
runner ((1)) 1 DCHP-1 (pre-1967)
THIS ENTRY MAY CONTAIN OUTDATED INFORMATION, TERMS and EXAMPLES
1a † n.
one of two longitudinal pieces on which a sled or sleigh glides over the snow or ice.
See also: running shoe ((1)) sleigh runner sleigh shoe
- 1788 In every other part of America, sleighs and sleds are otherwise constructed, the runners are from nine to twelve inches high and are drawn by cross bars or hooks made fast to the upper part of the runners.
- 1829 . . . we observed on Saturday a skiff fixed on runners coming from Long Island.
- 1965 The caribou provided the interior people with . . . bone and antler to shoe the wooden sled runners. . . .
1b † n. — Hist.
a light, fast sleigh, often used in racing.
- 1836 (1935) By 8 a.m. each man had his runner laden with something less than a hundred pounds' weight. . . .
- 1898 But he left behind him his 'runners.' He had not yet thrown up the game.
2a n. — Hist.
a horse or pony trained for hunting buffalo.
See also: buffalo runner (def. 1) run ((v.)) (def. 2)
- 1810 (1897) I had purchased another horse from him for 20 pints of liquor; this was a runner.
- 1849 (1932) The "runner" is tended with all the care which a cavalier of old bestowed on his war steed. . . .
- 1955 With the passing of the buffalo, the days of the runner were also numbered.
2b n. — Hist.
a mounted man, especially a Métis, who took part in a buffalo run (def. 1).
See also: buffalo run (def. 1) buffalo runner (def. 2) run ((v.)) (def. 2)
- 1858 (1863) Breakfast finished, our "runners" saddled and mounted. . . .
- 1862 In these expeditions the "runners"--ie. a select band of the best equipped, best-mounted, most experienced and most daring horsemen--are of course the only ones in danger. . . .
3 n.
a man on snowshoes who runs ahead of a dog team making a passable track in new or deep snow.
See also: forerunner run ((v.)) (def. 5)
- 1867 The man was a famous runner . . . despite the disadvantage of small tripping snow-shoes. . . .
- 1921 The "runner's" duty is to travel in front of the dogs picking out and breaking the trail. It is also his duty to clear away with an axe any trees which may have been blown across the road.
- 1934 There was also Donald Flett, a wonderful runner and a dog-driver of renown.
- 1788 In every other part of America, sleighs and sleds are otherwise constructed, the runners are from nine to twelve inches high and are drawn by cross bars or hooks made fast to the upper part of the runners.