กระสือ

Thai

1

Etymology

Uncertain. Compare Lao ກະສື (ka sư̄).

Pronunciation

Orthographic		กระสือ k r a s ụ̄ ɒ
Phonemic		กฺระ-สือ k ̥ r a – s ụ̄ ɒ
Romanization	Paiboon	grà-sʉ̌ʉ
	Royal Institute	kra-sue
(standard) IPA(key)		/kra˨˩.sɯː˩˩˦/(R)

Noun

กระสือ • (grà-sʉ̌ʉ)

1. a type of nocturnal spirit, believed to possess a woman and cause her to appear at night with only her head and internal organs that emit luminescent glow and float around to seek filthy things, such as feces and carrion, to eat. The male counterpart is known as กระหัง.
2. (botany) a type of turmeric that resembles zedoary, traditionally believed to be of a supernatural power to possess a woman like the said spirit.
3. (botany) any of numerous bioluminescent mushrooms.
4. (zoology) glowworm.