kelpie

1 of 2

noun (1)

kel·​pie ˈkel-pē How to pronounce kelpie (audio)
: any of a breed of energetic working dogs developed in Australia from British sheepdogs

kelpie

2 of 2

noun (2)

: a water sprite of Scottish folklore that delights in or brings about the drowning of wayfarers

Examples of kelpie in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
One of the couple's three dogs, a kelpie mix named Zinna, also was found dead in a crate in a bathroom closet near Arakawa. Arkansas Online, 1 Apr. 2025 One of the couple's three dogs, a kelpie mix named Zinna, was also found dead in a crate in a bathroom closet near Arakawa, while two other dogs were found alive. CBS News, 1 Apr. 2025 One of the couple’s three dogs, a kelpie mix named Zinna, also was found dead in a crate in a bathroom closet near Arakawa. Morgan Lee, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025 Gene, 95, and his wife, classical pianist Betsy, 65, were found dead at their home along with their dog, a kelpie mix named Zinna, in Santa Fe Summit on Wednesday, Feb. 26. Sharareh Drury, People.com, 28 Mar. 2025 Zinna, a kelpie mix, was found in her crate inside the home. Kirsty Hatcher, People.com, 17 Mar. 2025 Arakawa had brought the kelpie mix named Zinna home from a veterinary hospital on Feb. 9 after a procedure, Mendoza said. Nicole Brown Chau, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2025 Zinna, a 12-year-old Australian kelpie mix, likely died of dehydration and starvation, according to a New Mexico Department of Agriculture veterinary lab report. Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 15 Mar. 2025 The kelpie mix was found in a crate, while the couple's other two surviving dogs had access to a doggy door. Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Kelpie, name of a dog of this breed

Noun (2)

perhaps from Scottish Gaelic cailpeach, colpach heifer, colt

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1903, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1747, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of kelpie was in 1747

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Kelpie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kelpie. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.

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