spunkie

American  

[spuhng-kee] / ˈspʌŋ ki /

noun

Scot.

1. a will-o'-the-wisp.

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Etymology

Origin of spunkie

First recorded in 1720–30; spunk + -ie

Example Sentences

But, ere the genius of road-making had visited it, the benighted wanderer had more reason to apprehend destruction from the delusive light of the "moss-traversing spunkie," than from the sudden flash of the robber's pistol.

From Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland Volume 10 by Various

Logan, the only senior who marked the byplay, thought him a hardy young spunkie.

From The House with the Green Shutters by Brown, George Douglas

Old Nancy, knowing how painfully superstitious Dugald was, refrained from introducing anything more in the shape of either brownie or spunkie.

From Kenneth McAlpine A Tale of Mountain, Moorland and Sea by Stables, Gordon

She jokes her joke, an' cracks her crack, As spunkie as a growin' flea; An' there she sits upon my back A livin' perpetuity.

From The Modern Scottish Minstrel, Volume VI The Songs of Scotland of the Past Half Century by Rogers, Charles

His wife was a clever woman, and they had two daughters, Miss Virginia and Miss Carolina; but he was himself an ettercap, a perfect spunkie of passion, as ever was known in town or country.

From The Annals of the Parish; or, the chronicle of Dalmailing during the ministry of the Rev. Micah Balwhidder by Galt, John