plew

or plu

[ ploo ]

noun

, Older Use (in Western U.S. and Canada).

1. a beaver skin, especially one of prime quality.

plew

/ pluː /

noun

1. (formerly in Canada) a beaver skin used as a standard unit of value in the fur trade

Word History and Origins

Origin of plew¹

1790–1800; < Canadian French pelu; French: noun use of pelu haired, hairy (now obsolete or dial.); poilu

Word History and Origins

Origin of plew¹

from Canadian French pelu (adj) hairy, from French poilu, from poil hair, from Latin pilus

Example Sentences

Them was the times when this child first went to the mountains: six dollars the plew—old 'un or kitten.

From Project Gutenberg

"Thar's no money in beaver at a dollar a plew," commented Hank, watching his partner out of the corner of his eye.

From Project Gutenberg

Them was the times when this child first went to the mountains: six dollars the plew—old'un or kitten!

From Project Gutenberg

The beaver-skins have fallen, according to their phraseology, to a ‘plew a plug,’ and they find ‘red-skin’ pays better.

From Project Gutenberg

Learning that on his return he would proceed to the same locality in quest of "beaver plew," I determined to accompany him.

From Project Gutenberg