wanigan
Americannoun
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a lumberjack's trunk.
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a lumber camp's supply chest.
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a small house on wheels or tractor treads, used as an office or shelter in temporary lumber camps.
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(especially in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest) a lean-to or other small addition built onto a house trailer, cabin, etc.
noun
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a lumberjack's chest or box
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a cabin, caboose or houseboat
Etymology
Origin of wanigan
First recorded in 1840–50; from Ojibwe wa·nikka·n “pit,” derivative of wa·nikke·- “to dig a hole in the ground” from unattested Proto-Algonquian wa·θehke·- (unattested wa·θ- “hole” + -ehke·- “make”)
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.
In the meantime the rear was "sacking" its way as fast as possible, moving camp with the wanigan whenever necessary, working very hard and very cold and very long.
From The Riverman by Stewart Edward White
Shortly after daylight the wanigan, pushed strongly from shore by the pike-poles, was drifting toward the chute.
From The Riverman by Stewart Edward White
Billy Camp tried to keep back of the rear in clear water, but when the wanigan so disposed, he found himself jammed close in the logs.
From The Blazed Trail by Stewart Edward White
The tribulations of the wanigan were as the salt of life to the spectators.
From The Blazed Trail by Stewart Edward White
Billy Camp began to worry about shooting the wanigan through the sluice-way.
From The Blazed Trail by Stewart Edward White
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
