• Inukshuk

    Alternative forms

    Origin

    From Inuktitut ᐃᓄᒃᓱᒃ (inuksuk, "in the likeness of a human").

    Full definition of inukshuk

    Noun

    inukshuk

    (plural inukshuks or inukshuit or inuksuit)
    1. A structure of piled stones, designed to resemble a humanoid figure and traditionally constructed by the Inuit.
      • 2004, Pamela R Stern, Historical Dictionary of the Inuit, p. 74:The Nunavut Territory flag bears a rendering of an inukshuk in the form of a crucifix.
      • 2006, Thomas Pynchon, Against the Day, Vintage 2007, p. 140:This is a miniature copy of an inukshuk that actually stands up on a ridgeline far away in the interior, rocks piled in roughly the shape of a human, not to threaten the stranger but to guide him in country where landmarks are either too few or too many to keep straight.
      • 2008, The Globe and Mail, 6 Mar 2008 (headline):Inuit Inuksuit to be crafted and sold for 2010 Games.
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