English Explanatory Dictionary

elfin

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. An elf; an inhabitant of fairy-land.
  2. A little urchin or child.
  3. Any of the butterflies in the subgenus Incisalia of the North American lycaenid genus Callophrys.
adj
  1. Of or relating to elves.
  2. Resembling an elf or elves, especially in tiny size or features.

Pronunciation

/ˈɛlfɪn/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-elfin.wav

Word forms

elfin elfins more elfin most elfin

Etymology

From Middle English elven, from Old English elfen, ælfen (“nymph, spirit, fairy”), feminine of elf, ælf (“elf”), equivalent to elf + -in. Cognate with Middle High German elbinne (“a fairy, nymph”).

Synonyms

list in elven

Derived words

elfinfolk elfin myzomela elfin saddle elfin safety elfinwood elfin wood Williams elfin facies syndrome
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