duppy
Britishnoun
Etymology
Origin of duppy
C18: probably of African origin
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The informant who is responsible for these statements also says that "the duppy in human form generally moves along by spinning or walking backwards."
From Jamaican Song and Story Annancy stories, digging sings, ring tunes, and dancing tunes by Jekyll, Walter
Dere am duppy or de debbil in de fo’c’s’le.
From The White Squall A Story of the Sargasso Sea by Schonberg, J.
The usual Tshi name for them appears to be bonsum or bossum: the word "duppy" I have been unable to trace.
From Jamaican Song and Story Annancy stories, digging sings, ring tunes, and dancing tunes by Jekyll, Walter
This aunt was an Obeah witch, the duppy, or devil ghost, that was her familiar, appearing as a great black dog that she called Tiger.
From Myths & Legends of our New Possessions & Protectorate by Skinner, Charles M. (Charles Montgomery)
The 'three-foot horse' is believed to be a kind of duppy with three legs, hence its name; and is able to gallop faster than any other horse.
From Jamaican Song and Story Annancy stories, digging sings, ring tunes, and dancing tunes by Jekyll, Walter
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
