wickiup

English

An early-twentieth century wickiup

Etymology

Wickiup-like structures were built by many Native American peoples throughout the Southwestern United States, and terms similar to wickiup are present "among Native Americans in Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Idaho, and California", but the source of the word appears to be Fox wîkiyâpi (“house”). Alternatively, it may be a variant of wikiwam (“wigwam”). Either way, its ultimate origin is the Proto-Algonquian root *wi·kiwa·ʔmi (“house”). Doublet of wigwam.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈwɪkɪʌp/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈwɪk.i.ʌp/

Noun

wickiup (plural wickiups)

1. A domed hut, similar to a wigwam, used by some semi-nomadic Native American tribes, particularly in the southwestern and western United States.
   • 1930, Edna Ferber, Cimarron, page 11:

     They say his real name is Cimarron Seven, of the Choctaw Indian family of Sevens; he was raised in a tepee; a wickiup had been his bedroom, a blanket his robe.

   • 1992, Cormac McCarthy, All the Pretty Horses:

     At that time there were still indians camped on the western plains and late in the day he passed in his riding a scattered group of their wickiups propped upon that scoured and trembling waste.

Alternative forms

• wakiup, wikiup

See also

• traditional Native American dwellings:
  • hogan (used by the Navajo in the southwestern United States)
  • igloo (used by the Inuit, made of snow)
  • teepee (used in the Great Plains)
  • tupik (used by the Inuit during the summer)
  • wetu (used by the Wampanoag in the northeastern United States)
  • wickiup (used in the southwestern and western United States)
  • wigwam (used in the northeastern United States)