Indian file

English Etymology Attested since the 18th century, as Native Americans traversed woods in this way. Noun ? en especially US uncommon Single file. en 1791 Voyages And Travels Of An Indian Interpreter And Trader 69 In about an hour they returned very much intoxicated, singing their dead war songs, and every warrior naked, painted black from head to foot: as they approached the house in Indian file, each one repeated the following words He stopped abruptly, as if sorry he had said so much, and a moment later the party were walking in Indian file through the turnstile, Sir John Burney leading the way. Usage notes Usually used as walk (march, approach, etc) Indian file (adverbially) or walk in Indian file. Until the 19th century, the form walk in an Indian file was sometimes encountered.