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duppy

British  
/ ˈdʌpɪ /

noun

  1. a spirit or ghost

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.

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“I’se belly comf’able dere till Mass’ Tom friten me wid duppy.

From The Island Treasure by W. S. (Walter S.) Stacey

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 Walter Jekyll

How can duppy come in de daylight, hey?

From The White Squall A Story of the Sargasso Sea by J. Schonberg

Dere am duppy or de debbil in de fo’c’s’le.

From The White Squall A Story of the Sargasso Sea by J. Schonberg

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 Walter Jekyll

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