bidarka

or bai·dar·ka

[ bahy-dahr-kuh ]

noun

1. a sealskin boat used by primarily by the Alaskan Aleuts.

bidarka

/ baɪˈdɑːkə; baɪˈdɑːkiː /

noun

1. a canoe covered in animal skins, esp sealskin, used by the Inuit of Alaska

Word History and Origins

Origin of bidarka¹

First recorded in 1825–35; from Russian baĭdárka, equivalent to baĭdár(a) “kind of river craft” (apparently akin to baĭdák “river craft, barge,” Old Russian baidakŭ, bodakŭ, of obscure origin) + -ka diminutive suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of bidarka¹

C19: from Russian baidarka , diminutive of baidara umiak

Example Sentences

Across the hollow tendrils the old chief guided the bidarka silently, in a zigzag course.

From Project Gutenberg

In reply to this the Aleut stooped down, went out of the door, and walked over to the bidarka, where it lay at the bank.

From Project Gutenberg

Once or twice he gently turned the prow of the bidarka, using the least possible motion.

From Project Gutenberg

A loud chant now broke from all the boatmen, who joined the head bidarka, all backing away from the struggling whale.

From Project Gutenberg

With a shout he called to the others to halt, and presently, pushing the bidarka out into the creek, he paddled across to them.

From Project Gutenberg