bidarka

or bai·dar·ka

[ bahy-dahr-kuh ]

noun

a sealskin boat used by primarily by the Alaskan Aleuts.

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

Sometimes bi·da·ra [bahy-dahr-uh], /baɪˈdɑr ə/, bi·dar·kee [bahy-dahr-kee] /baɪˈdɑr ki/ .

Words Nearby bidarka

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use bidarka in a sentence

Across the hollow tendrils the old chief guided the bidarka silently, in a zigzag course.
Wild Folk | Samuel Scoville
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.
The Young Alaskans | Emerson Hough
Once or twice he gently turned the prow of the bidarka, using the least possible motion.
The Young Alaskans | Emerson Hough
A loud chant now broke from all the boatmen, who joined the head bidarka, all backing away from the struggling whale.
The Young Alaskans | Emerson Hough
With a shout he called to the others to halt, and presently, pushing the bidarka out into the creek, he paddled across to them.
The Young Alaskans | Emerson Hough

British Dictionary definitions for bidarka

bidarka

bidarkee (baɪˈdɑːkiː)

/ (baɪˈdɑːkə) /

noun

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

Origin of bidarka

C19: from Russian baidarka, diminutive of baidara umiak

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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