kel·pie 1 also kel·py (k l p )n. pl. kel·pies A malevolent water spirit of Scottish legend, usually having the shape of a horse and rejoicing in or causing drownings. [Probably of Celtic origin; akin to Scottish Gaelic colpach, heifer.] |
| kel·pie 2 (klp) n. Any of a breed of sheepdog originating in Australia. [From Kelpie, the name of an early specimen of the breed.] |
kelpie1, kelpy [ˈkɛlpɪ]
n pl -pies
(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Breeds) an Australian breed of sheepdog, originally developed from Scottish collies, having a smooth coat of various colours and erect ears
[named after a particular specimen of the breed, c. 1870]
kelpie2
n
(Myth & Legend / European Myth & Legend) (in Scottish folklore) a water spirit in the form of a horse that drowned its riders
[probably related to Scottish Gaelic cailpeach heifer, of obscure origin]
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. | kelpie - (Scottish folklore) water spirit in the form of a horse that likes to drown its riders folklore - the unwritten lore (stories and proverbs and riddles and songs) of a culture Scotland - one of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; located on the northern part of the island of Great Britain; famous for bagpipes and plaids and kilts evil spirit - a spirit tending to cause harm |
| 2. | kelpie - an Australian sheepdog with pointed ears sheep dog, sheepdog, shepherd dog - any of various usually long-haired breeds of dog reared to herd and guard sheep |
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