Voyageur: meaning, definitions and examples
๐
voyageur
[ vwah-yuh-zhur ]
travel, history
A voyageur is a term used to describe a person who travels, especially one who engages in long journeys, particularly through wilderness areas. It is most commonly associated with French-speaking fur traders in North America during the 18th and 19th centuries. These individuals played a significant role in the exploration and trade of furs, often navigating rivers and lakes in Canada's vast interior. They were known for their skills in canoeing and for enduring challenging conditions in remote settings.
Synonyms
adventurer, explorer, traveler
Examples of usage
- The voyageur paddled through the treacherous waters.
- Many voyageurs were skilled navigators and traders.
- The story of the voyageur is a significant part of Canadian history.
Translations
Translations of the word "voyageur" in other languages:
๐ต๐น viajante
๐ฎ๐ณ เคฏเคพเคคเฅเคฐเฅ
๐ฉ๐ช Reisender
๐ฎ๐ฉ pelancong
๐บ๐ฆ ะผะฐะฝะดััะฒะฝะธะบ
๐ต๐ฑ podrรณลผnik
๐ฏ๐ต ๆ ่ก่
๐ซ๐ท voyageur
๐ช๐ธ viajero
๐น๐ท gezici
๐ฐ๐ท ์ฌํ์
๐ธ๐ฆ ู ุณุงูุฑ
๐จ๐ฟ cestovatel
๐ธ๐ฐ cestovateฤพ
๐จ๐ณ ๆ ่ก่
๐ธ๐ฎ popotnik
๐ฎ๐ธ ferรฐamaรฐur
๐ฐ๐ฟ ัะฐัั ะฐััั
๐ฌ๐ช แแแแแแ แ
๐ฆ๐ฟ sษyahษtรงi
๐ฒ๐ฝ viajero
Etymology
The word 'voyageur' comes from the French verb 'voyager,' which means 'to travel.' Its roots can be traced back to the late 16th century as French explorers and traders ventured into North America. Initially, this term was used more broadly to describe individuals engaging in long-distance travel. However, its usage evolved to specifically refer to the French-Canadian fur traders who played a crucial role in the fur trade economy during the 17th and 18th centuries. These voyageurs often traveled in groups, using birch bark canoes to transport goods and furs across the waterways of North America. Their cultural impact is still recognized today in Canadian heritage and folklore, highlighting their adventurous spirit and the significant role they played in the development of the North American frontier.
Word Frequency Rank
Ranking #36,055, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.
- ...
- 36052 alertly
- 36053 brisker
- 36054 weepy
- 36055 voyageur
- 36056 extemporized
- 36057 womanliness
- 36058 inveighing
- ...