yurt

Definition

A large, round, semi-permanent tent with vertical walls and a conical roof, usually associated with Central Asia and Mongolia (where it is known as a ger).

Etymology

Borrowed from French yourte or German Jurte, from Russian ю́рта (júrta, “yurt”), from a Turkic language, from Proto-Turkic *yūrt (“dwelling place”).

Example Sentences

• "[T]heir [the Nogais'] cattle grazed on the Little Injik, only seven versts from the boundary line. In summer they kept them in the Black Mountains, and in winter at their auls. They lived in felt yurts, and often changed their place of abode."
• "Gervasius and Borodijin rode on to reconnoitre. As my caravan entered the strip of pasture fringing the shore I saw my people in conversation with Sarts by a yurt at the north-east corner of the lake. They soon returned with the information that the whole neighbourhood, which included Kala Otlak and Bulag Bashi, was known as Dakherukta. There was no tura, but two or three miles off to the west there lived a wealthy Sart who was at the moment away from home attending a wedding at some friends of his. The festivities were taking place on the farther side of the northern mountains."
• "Who would have imagined that the circular, skin-covered, pole-framed tents used by Mongolian nomads would find another life in the Colorado backcountry? The Mongols might be surprised if they could see how their portable structures have been improved and put to use in the San Juan Mountains of southern Colorado and northern New Mexico. […] About halfway to the [Neff Mountain] yurt, the trail makes an uphill switchback and passes the bottom of a big, open bowl."