noun
tepee
TEE-pee/ˈtiːpiː/
A cone-shaped tent traditionally used by Indigenous peoples of the Great Plains.
The tepee has a conical hide covering supported by tall wooden poles.
Etymology
The Dakota source means simply “dwelling” or “house.” English uses the borrowed word more specifically for the cone-shaped tent traditionally used by some Indigenous peoples of the Plains.
In context
in a full-size tepee with the fire going in the inside
More examples
- Smoke rises through the opening at the top of the tepee.
- The museum displays a model of a traditional Plains tepee.
- Several tepees stand beside the river.
Forms
tepee · tepees
Similar words
- tent
- A broader term for portable shelters of many shapes.