Elf

Pronunciation

• enPR: Ä•lf, IPA: /É›lf/
• Rhymes: -É›lf

Origin

From Middle English, from Old English ælf ("incubus, elf"), from Proto-Germanic *albiz.

Full definition of elf

Noun

1. (Norse mythology) A luminous spirit presiding over nature and fertility and dwelling in the world of Álfheim (Elfland). Compare angel, nymph, fairy.
• ShakespeareEvery elf, and fairy sprite,
  Hop as light as bird from brier.
2. Any from a race of mythical, supernatural beings resembling but seen as distinct from human beings. Usually skilled in magic or spellcrafting; sometimes depicted as clashing with dwarves, especially in modern fantasy literature.
3. (fantasy) Any of the magical, typically forest-guarding races bearing some similarities to the Norse álfar (through Tolkien's Eldar)
4. A very diminutive person; a dwarf.

Derived terms

Anagrams

• EFL