barghest
bar·ghest
barghest · barghests
A legendary monstrous black dog, said to possess large teeth and claws, and to be…A legendary monstrous black dog, said to possess large teeth and claws, and (sometimes) to be capable of changing form.
/ˈbɑːˌɡɛst/
Meaning
2 senses(UK)A legendary monstrous black dog, said to possess large teeth and claws, and (sometimes) to be capable of changing form.
(UK)Any ghost, wraith, hobgoblin, elf, or spirit.
Origin
Probably inherited from Northern Middle English *berghgast, *barghgast, from bergh, barghProbably inherited from Northern Middle English *berghgast, *barghgast, from bergh, bargh (“barrow”) + gast (“ghost”). Alternative hypotheses that first element is burgh (“town”) or bere (“bear”) lack semantic motivation.
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