leprechaun

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“
That, or a leprechaun was running the teleprompter.

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Definitions (4)

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  1. noun One of a race of elves in Irish folklore who can reveal hidden treasure to those who catch them.
  2. Word History
    Nothing seems more Irish than the leprechaun; yet hiding within the word leprechaun is a word from another language entirely. If we look back beyond Modern Irish Gaelic luprachán and Middle Irish luchrupán to Old Irish luchorpán, we can see the connection. Luchorpán is a compound of Old Irish lú, meaning "small,” and the Old Irish word corp, "body.” Corp is borrowed from Latin corpus (which we know from habeas corpus). Here is a piece of evidence attesting to the deep influence of Church Latin on the Irish language. Although the word is old in Irish it is fairly new in English, being first recorded in 1604.

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Examples (50)

  • But what we found out is that each one of us is a leprechaun, a monster, a cap'n, a tiger, and a rabbit.
  • He wanted to get back to Mickey McMickey the leprechaun, and Kelsey the elf, and Geno Hammerthrower, surly Geno, the dwarf who never seemed to run out of fresh spittle. —  Spearwielder's Tale 3.htm
  • But he had heard no answer to his call to the leprechaun, and whatever magic had been in this place was gone now, stolen by the mere appearance of the guard. —  Spearwielder's Tale 3.htm
  • This time, the call must have been closer, for the leprechaun was visibly disturbed. —  Spearwielder's Tale 3.htm
  • Truly the leprechaun was bothered by what was going on in the woods all about him, and by the turmoil that had become general in Faerie, but he meant to stay out of the battle. —  Spearwielder's Tale 3.htm
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Etymologies (1)

Toggle American Heritage etymologies American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. Irish Gaelic luprachán, alteration of Middle Irish luchrupán, from Old Irish luchorpán : luchorp (lú-, small; see legwh- in Indo-European roots + corp, body from Latin corpus; see kwrep- in Indo-European roots) + -án, diminutive suff.
 

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