wickiup
Definition
Noun: A temporary, dome-shaped dwelling or shelter. It is constructed by creating a frame from flexible poles or branches, which is then covered with materials such as brush, grass, reeds, mats, or animal hides. This type of structure was traditionally used by certain Indigenous peoples of North America, particularly in the southwestern regions, as a portable or seasonal home.
Usage
The word "wickiup" is used to refer specifically to this type of indigenous architecture. It is a historical and anthropological term. * Archaeologists found the remains of a wickiup near the riverbank. * The exhibit showed how a wickiup was built using local materials. * They sought shelter from the rain in a hastily constructed wickiup.
Advanced Usage
- The term is often used in historical contexts to describe the living structures of nomadic or semi-nomadic groups.
- In modern usage, it can sometimes be employed metaphorically to describe any simple, makeshift shelter built from natural materials.
Variants and Related Words
- Wickiup is the most common spelling.
- Wikiup is an accepted variant spelling.
- Tipi (or Tepee): A different, conical-shaped tent used by Plains Indians, often made of buffalo hides.
- Wigwam: A dome-shaped or conical dwelling used by Indigenous peoples in the Eastern Woodlands, often more semi-permanent than a wickiup.
Synonyms
- Lodge
- Hut
- Shelter
- Dwelling
Antonyms
- Permanent house
- Mansion
- High-rise
Related Phrases/Idioms
- No direct idioms incorporate the word "wickiup." Its use is primarily literal, referring to the physical structure.
Noun
- a lodge consisting of a frame covered with matting or brush; used by nomadic American Indians in the southwestern United States
