English Explanatory Dictionary

eldritch

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Unearthly, supernatural, eerie, preternatural.

Pronunciation

/ˈɛl.dɹɪt͡ʃ/ en-us-eldritch.ogg

Word forms

eldritch more eldritch most eldritch eldrich elrich elritch

Etymology

From the earlier form elritch, of uncertain origin. The second element, -ritch, is generally taken to be Old English rīċe (“realm, kingdom”). Some think that the first element, el-, derives from an Old English root meaning “foreign, strange, other” (related to Old English ellende and modern English else); others think that it derives from elf. It was reintroduced into popular literature by the writings of H. P. Lovecraft.

Derived words

eldritchly eldritchness
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