Synonyms

leprechaun

[lep-ruh-kawn, -kon] Example Sentences Origin

lep·re·chaun

[lep-ruh-kawn, -kon]
noun Irish Folklore.
1.
a dwarf or sprite.
2.
a conventionalized literary representation of this figure as a little old man who will reveal the location of a hidden crock of gold to anyone who catches him.

Origin:
1595–1605; < Irish leipreachán, lucharachán, MIr luchrapán, lupra(c)cán, metathesized forms of Old Irish lúchorp(án), equivalent to lú- small + corp body (< Latin corpus) + -án diminutive suffix
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Leprechaun is always a great word to know.
So is zedonk. Does it mean:
the offspring of a zebra and a donkey.
a gadget; dingus; thingumbob.
Example Sentences
  • The leprechaun sort of steals the show from the leads, but everyone was great.
  • Were it not for a hint of the leprechaun in his smile.
Collins
World English Dictionary
leprechaun (ˈlɛprəˌkɔːn)
 
n
(in Irish folklore) a mischievous elf, often believed to have a treasure hoard
 
[C17: from Irish Gaelic leipreachān, from Middle Irish lūchorpān, from small + corp body, from Latin corpus body]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

leprechaun
1604, from Ir. lupracan, metathesis from O.Ir. luchorpan lit. "a very small body," from lu "little" + corpan, dim. of corp "body," from L. corpus "body" (see corporeal). Commonly spelled lubrican in 17c. Eng. Leithbragan is Ir. folk etymology, from leith "half" + brog
EXPAND
"brogue," because the spirit was "supposed to be always employed in making or mending a single shoe."
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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