elf

elf

elf, elves [OE œlf]. The familiar diminutive, magic-wielding creature that derives from Teutonic origin has only one close counterpart in the Celtic world, the Welsh ellyll. Other parallels can be found only through forced analogy. The Irish leprechaun makes an inexact analogue, although the cluricaune and dullahan and Cornish piskie come closer. The Irish word síabraid is sometimes translated as ‘elf’. See also FAIRY. The English word elf translates inexactly into Celtic languages other than Welsh: ModIr. clutharachán, lucharachán; ScG s‘thiche; Manx trollag; Corn. spyrys.

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JAMES MacKILLOP. "elf." A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JAMES MacKILLOP. "elf." A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O70-elf.html

JAMES MacKILLOP. "elf." A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. 2004. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O70-elf.html

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elf

elf a supernatural creature of folk tales, typically represented as a small, delicate, elusive figure in human form with pointed ears, magical powers, and a capricious nature. The word is recorded from Old English and is of Germanic origin; related to German Alp ‘nightmare’.
elf-arrow a name for a flint arrowhead (regarded as an elves' weapon).
elf-locks a tangled mass of hair, as said to have been tangled by supernatural agency.

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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "elf." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "elf." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-elf.html

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "elf." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-elf.html

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elf

elf / elf/ • n. (pl. elves / elvz/ ) a supernatural creature of folk tales, typically represented as a small, elusive figure in human form with pointed ears, magical powers, and a capricious nature. DERIVATIVES: elf·ish adj. elv·en / ˈelvən/ adj. ( poetic/lit. ) elv·ish / ˈelvish/ adj.

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"elf." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"elf." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-elf005.html

"elf." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-elf005.html

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elf

elf dwarf supernatural being OE.; mischievous creature XVI. OE. elf, WS. *ielf, ylf = MDu. elf, beside MHG. elbe fem. :- *albiz, parallel to *albaz, whence OE. ælf (ME. pl. alven) = OS., MLG. alf, MHG. alp (G. alp nightmare), ON. álfr.
Hence elfin adj. XVI (poss. suggested by ME. elevene, g. pl. of elf), elfish XVI, elvish XIV.

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T. F. HOAD. "elf." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

T. F. HOAD. "elf." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-elf.html

T. F. HOAD. "elf." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-elf.html

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elf

elf in Germanic mythology, a type of fairy. Usually represented as tiny people, elves are said to dwell in forests, in the sea, and in the air. Although they can be friendly to man, they are more frequently vengeful and mischievous.

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"elf." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"elf." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-elf.html

"elf." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-elf.html

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Elf

211. Elf

  1. cluricaune small creature who appears as an old man; knows about hidden treasure. [Irish Folklore: Brewer Dictionary, 213]
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"Elf." Allusions--Cultural, Literary, Biblical, and Historical: A Thematic Dictionary. 1986. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"Elf." Allusions--Cultural, Literary, Biblical, and Historical: A Thematic Dictionary. 1986. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-2505500220.html

"Elf." Allusions--Cultural, Literary, Biblical, and Historical: A Thematic Dictionary. 1986. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-2505500220.html

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ELF

ELF • abbr. extremely low frequency.

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"ELF." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"ELF." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-elf.html

"ELF." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-elf.html

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ELF

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DARREL INCE. "ELF." A Dictionary of the Internet. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

DARREL INCE. "ELF." A Dictionary of the Internet. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O12-ELF.html

DARREL INCE. "ELF." A Dictionary of the Internet. 2001. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O12-ELF.html

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elf

elf •Ralph •elf, herself, himself, itself, myself, oneself, ourself, self, shelf, themself, thyself, yourself •mantelshelf • bookshelf • sylph •golf, Rolf, Wolf •Randolph • Rudolph •Wolfe, Woolf •aardwolf • werewolf • Beowulf •engulf, gulf •Ranulf

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"elf." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"elf." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-elf.html

"elf." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-elf.html

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