tyee
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of tyee
An Americanism dating back to 1790–1800; from Chinook Jargon: literally, “chief, boss,” from Nuu-chah-nulth (Nootka) ta·yi· “elder brother, senior”); as a name for the fish perhaps analogous with king salmon
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The proudest moment of my fishing career came when I caught my first and only tyee.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 9, 2018
A Chinook that weighs more than 30 pounds is called a tyee.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 9, 2018
Very shortly, the magistrate pounded his gavel; His verdict was clearly a stunner: “When the gentlemen differ in manner of travel, The tyee must go to the runner.”
From Washington Post ● Jul. 21, 2016
At last the distressed tyee, induced by hunger, put forth his hand to touch the food.
From The Log School-House on the Columbia by Hezekiah Butterworth
Saghalie tyee, the Deity; tyee salmon, the spring salmon.
From Dictionary of the Chinook Jargon, or, Trade Language of Oregon by George Gibbs
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