spunkie Sc.
(ˈspʌŋkɪ)
Also 8 spunkey, 9 spunky.
[f. spunk n.]
1. A will o' the wisp.
| 1727 P. Walker Life R. Cameron in Biogr. Presbyt. (1827) I. 243 Some Willies with the Wisps, or Spunkies of Wild-fire. 1785 Burns Addr. to Deil xiii, An' aft your moss-traversing Spunkies Decoy the wight that late an' drunk is. 1816 Scott Bl. Dwarf ii, The scene of it had been avoided..by all human beings, as being the ordinary resort of kelpies, spunkies, and other demons. 1855 Smedley Occult Sciences 75 The wily spunkie manœuvred so dexterously that the unhappy wanderer was speedily decoyed into the nearest morass. 1884 W. Sime To and Fro 170 The spunkie which showed the signal for freedom has disappeared. |
| Comb. 1898 Spence Poems 139 The spunkie-haunted bog, Where sank the shepherd and his dog. |
2. Whisky or other spirituous drink.
rare.
| 1786 Burns Epist. J. Kennedy iii, Gie me just a true good fallow,..And spunkie ance to make us mellow, And then we'll shine. |
3. a. A spirited, mettlesome, or courageous person; a smart or lively fellow.
| 1806 J. Nicol Poems I. 148 (Jam.), An' frae his bow, the shafts, fu' snack, Pierc'd monie a spunkie's liver. 1901 G. Douglas House w. Gr. Shutters 182 Logan..thought him a hardy young spunkie. |
b. A fiery, hot-tempered, or irritable person.
| 1821 Galt Ann. Parish xxvi, He was himself..a perfect spunkie of passion. |