Indian file

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English

Etymology

Attested since the 1700s, because Native Americans traversed woods in this way.

Noun

Indian file

  1. (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 1800s, the form walk in an Indian file was sometimes encountered.
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