chilkat: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare / TechnicalAcademic / Ethnographic / Specialised Cultural
Quick answer
What does “chilkat” mean?
A specific type of blanket or robe, traditionally handwoven by the Tlingit and other Indigenous peoples of the Northwest Coast of North America.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A specific type of blanket or robe, traditionally handwoven by the Tlingit and other Indigenous peoples of the Northwest Coast of North America.
May refer to the distinctive weaving style characterized by complex curvilinear designs using mountain goat wool and cedar bark, or to the Tlingit subgroup (Chilkat Tlingit) known for producing them.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant regional differences in meaning. Usage is equally rare in both varieties and confined to specialist contexts.
Connotations
Connotes indigenous art, craftsmanship, and cultural heritage of the Pacific Northwest.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language. Slightly higher likelihood of encounter in North American contexts due to geographic proximity to the culture of origin.
Grammar
How to Use “chilkat” in a Sentence
[artifact] is a genuine Chilkat[weaver] creates a Chilkat[museum] displays a ChilkatVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chilkat” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A – not used as a verb.
American English
- N/A – not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- N/A – not used as an adverb.
American English
- N/A – not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The museum acquired a stunning Chilkat robe.
- She studies Chilkat weaving techniques.
American English
- He owns an authentic Chilkat blanket.
- The exhibit focused on Chilkat design principles.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used. Potential exception: in very niche art dealing or museum procurement.
Academic
Used in anthropology, indigenous studies, art history, and textile research.
Everyday
Extremely unlikely to be used or understood in everyday conversation.
Technical
Used as a precise term in ethnography and textile arts to denote a specific cultural artifact and technique.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “chilkat”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “chilkat”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chilkat”
- Misspelling as 'Chilkhat' or 'Chilcott'.
- Using it as a general term for any Native American blanket.
- Incorrect capitalisation when referring to the artifact (e.g., 'a chilkat blanket').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a rare, specialised term. Most English speakers would not know it unless they have an interest in Indigenous cultures of North America.
No, it is exclusively a noun (and sometimes an adjective). There is no verb 'to chilkat'.
A Chilkat is a specific, handwoven ceremonial garment using goat wool and cedar bark, made by Pacific Northwest peoples. A Pendleton blanket is a commercially produced, woolen trade blanket, often inspired by Native designs but not made by traditional methods.
It is capitalised when it is part of a proper name (Chilkat River, Chilkat Tlingit). When used as a common noun for the blanket, dictionaries vary, but capitalisation (Chilkat blanket) is common to acknowledge its origin as a cultural name.
A specific type of blanket or robe, traditionally handwoven by the Tlingit and other Indigenous peoples of the Northwest Coast of North America.
Chilkat is usually academic / ethnographic / specialised cultural in register.
Chilkat: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtʃɪl.kæt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtʃɪl.kæt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'CHILLY cat needs a woven CHILKAT blanket.' Links the sound to a tangible object for warmth.
Conceptual Metaphor
CULTURAL HERITAGE IS A WOVEN FABRIC (e.g., 'the Chilkat weaving together of history and identity').
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'Chilkat' primarily known as?