bunyip

Definition

A mythical Australian monster, said to inhabit swamps and lagoons.

Etymology

Borrowed from Wathaurong ban-yib.

Example Sentences

• "The bunyip here was considered to have a magical power over humans, causing them considerable misfortune. Places where there were many eels tended to be where bunyips lived, as this was their food. On one occasion, Aboriginal people claimed that a bunyip lured a woman to her death by distracting her with a large catch of eels. It was considered extremely bad luck to kill or injure a bunyip."
• "According to the stories, the Bunyip comes in many different shapes and sizes—some are covered in feathers, while others have scales like a crocodile. Most Aboriginal drawings show the Bunyip with a tail like a horse, and flippers and tusks like a walrus."
• "One particularly fierce bunyip described by Smith was well known as a man-eater throughout south Australia."

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