elf

nounsmall, fairytale character

Synonyms for elf

noun small, fairytale character

Antonyms for elf

giant

Word Origin & History

"one of a race of powerful supernatural beings in Germanic folklore," Old English elf (Mercian, Kentish), ælf (Northumbrian), ylfe (plural, West Saxon), from Proto-Germanic *albiz (cf. Old Saxon alf, Old Norse alfr, German alp "evil spirit, goblin, incubus"), origin unknown, possibly from PIE *albho- "white." Used figuratively for "mischievous person" from 1550s.

In addition to elf/ælf (masc.), Old English had parallel form *elfen (fem.), the plural of which was *elfenna, -elfen, from Proto-Germanic *albinjo-. Both words survived into Middle English and were active there, the former as elf (with the vowel of the plural), plural elves, the latter as elven, West Midlands dialect alven (plural elvene).

The Germanic elf originally was dwarfish and malicious (cf. Old English ælfadl "nightmare," ælfsogoða "hiccup," thought to be caused by elves); in the Middle Ages they were confused to some degree with faeries; the more noble version begins with Spenser. Nonetheless a popular component in Anglo-Saxon names, many of which survive as modern given names and surnames, cf. Ælfræd "Elf-counsel" (Alfred), Ælfwine "Elf-friend" (Alvin), Ælfric "Elf-ruler" (Eldridge), also women's names such as Ælfflæd "Elf-beauty." Elf Lock hair tangled, especially by Queen Mab, "which it was not fortunate to disentangle" [according to Robert Nares' glossary of Shakespeare] is from 1592.

Example Sentences for elf

"Oh, I suppose the salt has melted," was the Elf's comment upon this.

Arulai (Star) and Preena (the Elf), the two who were with me, were full of expectation.

So the Elf gave a downward squint at the closed cage-door, just for a hint.

But something else comes creeping in,As softly, from the starry night— The Elf!

Beyond all other of the little green folk was the elf knight feared.

The third name given to Fairies is “Ellyll,” an elf, a demon, a goblin.

I was sure of it when I heard the Elf's Horn and answered the call.

It may be translated witch, elf, or goblin, with evil tendencies.

“Certainly,” said the elf and the Brownie briskly, in one breath.

I was, and still remain, an elf of light, as playful and harmless as sunshine.

elf

Synonyms for elf

Antonyms for elf

fairies

fairy

gnome

gremlin

hobgoblin

elf

Synonyms for elf

Antonyms for elf

More words related to elf

brownie

fairies

fairy

gnome

gremlin

hobgoblin