snow n For combs. in sense 2: DC ~ house (Nfld: 1771-), ~ hut (1823-), ~ road (1829-1883).
1 Prov phr a year of snow a year of plenty (1937 DEVINE 66).
2 Comb snow deathfall: animal trap covered with snow to deceive animal; cp DEATHFALL.
[1770] 1792 CARTWRIGHT i, 46 In our return we found two old furriers' tilts, and snow death-falls; which appeared to be of Canadian construction.
snow drop: northern white violet (Viola pallens) (1956 ROULEAU 38).
snow dwy: see DWY.
snow hole: deep snow-pit formed as temporary shelter.
[1919] 1972 GORDON 147 I was thus introduced for the first time to what is locally described as a 'Snowhole.' First, a big log fire was kindled on a bank of snow, and we stretched out in our sleeping-bags beside it. Then, as the snow began to melt, the fire and ourselves gradually sank down until we touched ground. After this, it was the nearest approach to living in a chimney that I have ever experienced. Ten feet below the upper level, and nearly blinded with the smoke, one was warm enough, but I was thankful when light appeared above, and we were able to climb out to the fresh air.
snow house: dwelling or shelter constructed with blocks of snow.
[1771] 1792 CARTWRIGHT i, 96 I looked at my traps down the river, and then proceeded to Lyon Head, where I visited my Indian friends in their snowhouse. 1782 LA TROBE 2 When pinched with hunger, [the dogs] will swallow almost anything; and on a journey, it is necessary to secure the harness within the snowhouse overnight, lest by devouring it they should render it impossible to proceed in the morning. 1916 HAWKES 58 The art of building snow-houses is still practised by the Labrador Eskimo north of Hopedale. In Southern Labrador, the custom has so nearly died out that the missionaries hold snow-building contests to keep alive the ancient art. T 187-65 All Usquimaux was [living] into a snow house or canvas tent or place dug into a bank of turf. That's where they'd live then.
snow hut: see snow house.
1861 DE BOILIEU 98 We built a snow hut, by cutting blocks of snow, and placing them one upon another, gradually inclining to the top centre. 1895 GRENFELL 153 At night on travel a snow hut is built... The snow is cut in blocks ... from the inside of the circle chosen for the house. Thus the hut goes down and up at the same time. A hole is left at the top for the air, while a block is cut to fit into the door from the outside, after all are in.
snow path: trail or pathway for winter travel; cp SLIDE PATH, WOODS ~ .
[1896] SWANSBOROUGH 5 "March": If snow paths to the woods hold on / Men find there's something to be done. / A sudden thaw will come some day / And take the snow path all away. 1972 MURRAY 99 They had to go over the meadow land inch by inch, picking up stones or any other debris that might have collected on the field during the winter. For, often, when snow covered the fields and fences, short cuts or 'snow paths' were taken across anyone's land.
snow racket: snowshoe.
1819 PANL CS 1 28 May I...found what he had told me to be correct, and near the Tilt I discovered part of an Indians Snow Racket.
snow road: frozen surface or track used as a road in winter.
T 43/7-64 But the wagon sleds, now, there was two o' them because they were only used in the winter, an' you had a ice road or a snow road.
