wumpus

English

Etymology

Coined in an early text-based computer game, Hunt the Wumpus (published 1973).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈwʌmpəs/

  • Audio (Southern England)

    (file)

Noun

wumpus (plural wumpi)

1. A fictional reclusive monster.
   • 1987, Etienne Wenger, Artificial Intelligence and Tutoring Systems:

     In addition to the Wumpus, other dangers are lurking: namely deadly pits, and bats that grab the player and drop her in a random cave.

   • 2003, Selmer Bringsjord, Michael John Zenzen, Superminds: People Harness Hypercomputation, and More:

     A scream occurs when the agent shoots an arrow that kills the wumpus.

   • 2008, Andreas Jahn-Sudmann, Ralf Stockmann, Computer Games as a Sociocultural Phenomenon:

     In Hunter, towards the end of the game, the player is tracking the wounded wumpus and finds herself in a room of interconnected caves.

Anagrams

• upswum