old squaw

Or oldsquaw

noun

1. a sea duck, Clangula hyemalis, of Arctic and subarctic regions.

old squaw

noun

1. Also called: oldwife. a long-tailed northern sea duck, Clangula hyemalis, having dark wings and a white-and-brown head and body

Word History and Origins

Origin of old squaw¹

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40

Example Sentences

The flowers were gone; the birds flocked in great clouds, and among them were eider and old squaw ducks that kept to the rivers and beaches except when they migrated south.

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He proved to be the commandant of Sandusky, who, having, as before mentioned, been adopted by the Indians, and married to an old squaw, now seized the first opportunity of escaping from her embraces.

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She went to the principal house, where she supposed the most valuable articles must have been deposited, and on entering, was met by the old squaw who had the superintendence, who demanded what she wanted.

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Come!’ and led the way back into the wigwam where the old squaw gave Gwen a bowl of soup.

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The old squaw, her husband's mother, who was attending upon her, shook her head.

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