from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Canoe \Ca*noe"\, n.; pl. {Canoes}. [Sp. canoa, fr. Caribbean
can['a]oa.]
1. A boat used by rude nations, formed of trunk of a tree,
excavated, by cutting of burning, into a suitable shape.
It is propelled by a paddle or paddles, or sometimes by
sail, and has no rudder.
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Others devised the boat of one tree, called the
canoe. --Raleigh.
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2. A boat made of bark or skins, used by savages.
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A birch canoe, with paddles, rising, falling, on the
water. --Longfellow.
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3. A light pleasure boat, especially designed for use by one
who goes alone upon long excursions, including portage. It
it propelled by a paddle, or by a small sail attached to a
temporary mast.
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