kelpie

¹

[ kel-pee ]

noun

1. (in Scottish legends) a water spirit, usually having the form of a horse, reputed to cause drownings or to warn those in danger of drowning.

kelpie

²

[ kel-pee ]

noun

1. Australian kelpie.

kelpie

¹

/ ˈkɛlpɪ /

noun

1. an Australian breed of sheepdog, originally developed from Scottish collies, having a smooth coat of various colours and erect ears

kelpie

²

/ ˈkɛlpɪ /

noun

1. (in Scottish folklore) a water spirit in the form of a horse that drowned its riders

Word History and Origins

Origin of kelpie¹

First recorded in 1740–50; origin uncertain

Origin of kelpie²

First recorded in 1905–10

Word History and Origins

Origin of kelpie¹

named after a particular specimen of the breed, c. 1870

Origin of kelpie²

C18: probably related to Scottish Gaelic cailpeach heifer, of obscure origin

Example Sentences

His kelpie dropped a ball at my feet, tail wagging, and I threw it without thinking.

From New York Times

Thanks to farmer James for showing Jodie and me some five week old kelpie pups at the Sydney Royal @eastershow this morning.

From Washington Post

Cases in point are the kelpie, whose sole aim in life is to attract humans towards it, and the Pogrebin, which seeks out humans for itself.

From Literature

A kelpie thought to be the world’s oldest dog has died at home on a dairy farm in the Australian state of Victoria.

From The Guardian

The room filled with the sounds of people swept away by their own breath – one man was barking like a kelpie, and beside me a woman sounded like an episode of One Born Every Minute.

From The Guardian

Related Words

• demon
• devil
• phantom
• shadow
• soul
• specter
• vampire
• vision