plew

American  

[ploo] / plu /

Or plu

noun

Older Use (in Western U.S. and Canada).

1. a beaver skin, especially one of prime quality.

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plew British  

/ pluː /

noun

1. (formerly in Canada) a beaver skin used as a standard unit of value in the fur trade

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Etymology

Origin of plew

1790–1800; < Canadian French pelu; French: noun use of pelu haired, hairy (now obsolete or dial.); see poilu

Example Sentences

“Ta bag,” he said confidentially, “she isn’t a hundert years auld, but she’s auld, and she was proke, and ta wint whustled when she plew, but she’s chust mended, and to-morrow—ah, to-morrow!”

From Three Boys or the Chiefs of the Clan Mackhai by Fenn, George Manville

His braw calf-ward whare gowans grew, Sae white and bonie, Nae doubt they’ll rive it wi’ the plew; They’ll ruin Johnie!”

From The Complete Works of Robert Burns: Containing his Poems, Songs, and Correspondence. With a New Life of the Poet, and Notices, Critical and Biographical by Allan Cunningham by Burns, Robert

Thur’s clur ground not fur from us; and I’d stak a plew thur in it.

From The Scalp Hunters by Stewart, F.A.

"Thar's no money in beaver at a dollar a plew," commented Hank, watching his partner out of the corner of his eye.

From Bring Me His Ears by Mulford, Clarence E.

Learning that on his return he would proceed to the same locality in quest of "beaver plew," I determined to accompany him.

From Seven and Nine years Among the Camanches and Apaches An Autobiography by Johnson, Clark, M.D.