pooka

plural pookas · alternative phooka · alternative phouka

1. A fairy that supposedly appears in animal form, often large.

   The pooka had befriended the kindly old man.

   4 more examples

   The Pooka is an animal of which, partly from the darkness of the night, and partly from the darkness that he carries about with him, the precise outline, especially of the head and neck, can never be distinguished.

   1833 July, “Laurie on Grand Juries”, in The Westminster Review - Volume 19, page 88

   This is certain; Moggy was by no means so great a fool as Betty in respect of hobgoblins, witches, banshees, pookas, and the world of spirits in general. She eat heartily, and slept soundly, and as yet had never seen the devil.

   1863, Sheridan Le Fanu, The House by the Churchyard

   When the blackberries begin to decay, and the seeds to appear, the children are told not to eat them any longer, as the Pooka has dirtied on them.

   1850, Thomas Keightley, The Fairy Mythology, London: H.G. Bohn, page 371

   P-O-O-K-A. Pooka. From old Celtic mythology, a fairy spirit in animal form, always very large. The pooka appears here and there, now and then, to this one and that one. A benign but mischievous creature. Very fond of rumpots, crackpots, and how are you, Mr. Wilson?

   1944, Mary Chase, Harvey (play)

plural pookas

1. A convenient storage location or hiding spot created by the arrangement or form of surrounding objects