pooka

American  

[poo-kuh] / ˈpu kə /

Also puca

noun

1. (in folklore) an Irish spirit, mischievous but not malevolent, corresponding to the English Puck.

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Etymology

Origin of pooka

First recorded in 1820–30; from Irish púca, perhaps related to Old English pūca ( see Puck ( def. ))

Example Sentences

James Stewart plays Elwood P Dowd, and Harvey is his love object, an invisible 6ft white rabbit sometimes described as a "pooka", a sort of sprite who can make your dreams come true.

From The Guardian • Feb. 14, 2013

To make a long story short, the next night but two the boy was there again; and if he didn't delight the poor pooka, holding up a fine warm coat before him, it's no mather!

From Fairy and Folk Tales of the Irish Peasantry by Yeats, W. B. (William Butler)

“Musha, I don’t know,” says the pooka; “but I think a good quilted frieze coat would help me to keep the life in me them long nights.”

From The Irish Fairy Book by Various

“Musha!” says she, “if the pooka does be cleaning up everything that way when we are asleep, what should we be slaving ourselves for doing his work?”

From The Irish Fairy Book by Various

The last thing the pooka done was to rake up the fire and walk out, giving such a slap o’ the door that the boy thought the house couldn’t help tumbling down.

From The Irish Fairy Book by Various