- a dwarf or sprite.
- 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 of leprechaun
Examples from the Web for leprechauns
Contemporary Examples of leprechauns
From the revelation that Michael was a “presexual” to his belief that leprechauns are real, Abby Haglage speed-reads Untouchable.
“He loves the whole idea of leprechauns and the magic and myths of Ireland,” said an unidentified source.
“Be on the lookout for leprechauns,” he said to Prince, Paris, and Blanket when they arrived in Ireland for a vacation in 2006.
He idolized Ireland and believed—wholeheartedly—in leprechauns.
In fact, he is currently polling better than leprechauns and unicorns.Obama's 10 Best Moves and 5 Worst Stumbles So Far
February 1, 2009
Historical Examples of leprechauns
"Leprechauns are not really mechanically inclined," said Keech.Houlihan's Equation
An' so you don't b'lieve there's sich things as Leprechauns, don't ye?The Fairy Mythology
He began to wonder whether the tale of the leprechauns was true.
He would stand by the lake and call to the leprechauns to take him away.
But Snockerty was of the stripe of trolls, leprechauns, pucks, and hobgoblins.A Woman of Genius
- (in Irish folklore) a mischievous elf, often believed to have a treasure hoard
Word Origin for leprechaun
c.1600, from Irish lupracan, metathesis from Old Irish luchorpan literally "a very small body," from lu "little" (from PIE *legwh- "having little weight;" see light (adj.)) + corpan, diminutive of corp "body," from Latin corpus "body" (see corporeal). Commonly spelled lubrican in 17c. English. Leithbragan is Irish folk etymology, from leith "half" + brog "brogue," because the spirit was "supposed to be always employed in making or mending a single shoe."