Indian file
From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Etymology
Attested since the 18th century, as Native Americans traversed woods in this way.
Noun
- (especially US, uncommon) Single file.
- 1791, Voyages And Travels Of An Indian Interpreter And Trader, page 69:
- In about an hour they returned very much intoxicated, singing their dead war songs, and every warrior naked, painted black from head to foot: as they approached the house in Indian file, each one repeated the following words […]
Usage notes
- Usually used as walk (march, approach, etc) Indian file (adverbially) or walk in Indian file. Until the 19th century, the form walk in an Indian file was sometimes encountered.
Wikiwand in your browser!
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
Every time you click a link to Wikipedia, Wiktionary or Wikiquote in your browser's search results, it will show the modern Wikiwand interface.
Wikiwand extension is a five stars, simple, with minimum permission required to keep your browsing private, safe and transparent.
