Kootenay

or Koo·te·nai, Ku·te·nay, Ku·te·nai

[ koot-n-ey, ˈkut-n-ee ]

noun

, plural Koo·te·nays (especially collectively) Koo·te·nay

1. a member of an Indigenous people of Montana, Idaho, and British Columbia.
2. the language of the Kootenay.
3. a river flowing from southwestern Canada through northwestern Montana and northern Idaho, swinging back into Canada to the Columbia River. 400 miles (645 km) long.

adjective

1. of or relating to the Kootenay or their language.

Kootenay

/ ˈkuːtneɪ; ˈkuːtəniː /

noun

1. a river in W North America, rising in SE British Columbia and flowing south into NW Montana, then north into Idaho before re-entering British Columbia, broadening into Kootenay Lake , then flowing to the Columbia River. Length: 655 km (407 miles)

Word History and Origins

Origin of Kootenay¹

First recorded in 1800–10; from Kootenay (a language isolate) Kútonâqa, a self-designation of some Canadian Kootenay; isolate ( def )

Example Sentences

With its expansions, the narrow and deep Arrow lakes, it is an important waterway in the Kootenay region.

From Project Gutenberg

Got wind of him at Calgary, followed up the clue past Morleyville, then along the Kootenay trail.

From Project Gutenberg

"Jolly little girl," said the Inspector, as they turned from the railway tote road down the coulee into the Kootenay trail.

From Project Gutenberg

"An' his big feet, an' his soft throat, an' the clumsy thickness of his belly," interrupted the Kootenay man.

From Project Gutenberg

Just below the point where the Kootenay River breaks out of the lake is the little hamlet of Proctor.

From Project Gutenberg