bidarka

American  

[bahy-dahr-kuh] / baɪˈdɑr kə /

Sometimes bidara or baidarka

noun

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

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bidarka British  

/ baɪˈdɑːkiː, baɪˈdɑːkə /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of bidarka

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

Example Sentences

And it's frail looking, frail as an eggshell, yet I would stake a bidarka against a lifeboat in a surf.

From The Rim of the Desert by Anderson, Ada Woodruff

Skookie was less particular, but, with the confidence born of long experience, took a running jump as he pushed off the bidarka and scrambled into the rear hatch.

From The Young Alaskans by Hough, Emerson

There is every chance that he left the bidarka somewhere in the creek.

From The Young Alaskans by Hough, Emerson

He pointed to the bidarka at the edge of the lagoon.

From The Young Alaskans by Hough, Emerson

He motioned hurriedly to Rob as he ran to his own bidarka, grinning as though he hardly expected Rob to accept the invitation to come and join the hunt.

From The Young Alaskans by Hough, Emerson