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

He saw neither pooka nor fairy, but the long horns of the animal he was in search of.

From Love of Brothers by Tynan, Katharine

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

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

But the pooka only looked at him, and thrust out his lower lip to show how little he valued him, and then he pitched him into his pew again.

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