Cthulhu

noun

Cthu·​lhu kə-ˈthü-lü  -ˈtü- 

by author's intention unpronounceable; approximately

ˈḵlu̇-ˌhlü 

: an ancient malevolent monster in the fiction of H. P. Lovecraft that is described as an enormous humanoid figure having wings, claws, and a tentacled face

Word History

Etymology

Lovecraft's coinage, perhaps meant to suggest chthonic and its source, Greek chthṓn "earth"

First Known Use

1928, in the meaning defined above