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kelpie

Syllabification: (kel·pie)

Pronunciation: /ˈkelpē/

Definition of kelpie

noun

1a water spirit of Scottish folklore, typically taking the form of a horse, reputed to delight in the drowning of travelers.

2a sheepdog of an Australian breed with a smooth coat, originally bred from a Scottish collie.

Origin:

late 17th century: perhaps from Scottish Gaelic cailpeach, colpach 'bullock, colt'. sense 2 apparently comes from the name of a particular bitch, King's Kelpie (circa1879)