- crowfoot
-
/kroh"foot'/, n., pl. crowfoots for 1, 2, crowfeet for 3-6.1. any plant of the genus Ranunculus, esp. one with divided leaves suggestive of a crow's foot; buttercup.2. any of various other plants with leaves or other parts suggestive of a bird's foot, as certain species of the genus Geranium.3. caltrop (def. 1).4. Naut. an arrangement of several bridlelike ropes rove through a suspended euphroe to support the backbone of an awning at a number of points.5. Motion Pictures, Television. a three-legged device placed under a tripod to keep the camera from slipping.6. (on an architectural or engineering drawing) a V-shaped mark the apex of which is a reference point.[1400-50; late ME crowefote. See CROW1, FOOT]
* * *
▪ Blackfoot chiefIndian name Sahpo Muxikaborn c. 1836died April 24, 1890, Blackfoot Crossing, near Calgary, District of Alberta, Can.head chief of the Blackfoot tribe of Indians and a strong advocate of peace and subservience to whites.Crowfoot was only 13 when he took part in his first raid. He became a noted warrior and was appointed head chief of the Blackfoot. He tried to discourage tribal warfare, and he refused to join other Indians in attacks against the North West Mounted Police. The Canadian Pacific Railway pensioned him for keeping peace when survey parties attempted to cross western Canada in 1883. During the 1885 Northwest Rebellion—an uprising of Métis (persons of mixed European and Indian ancestry) and Indians against the Canadian government—Crowfoot refused to submit to heavy pressure from his tribe and his adopted son Poundmaker to join with the rebels. In 1866 he rescued Father Albert Lacombe from hostile Cree Indians in the Northwest Territories.* * *
Universalium. 2010.
