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. ))

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

pooka

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

"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 W. B. (William Butler) Yeats

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 W. B. (William Butler) Yeats

“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

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

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