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Synonyms for elves

Grammar : Noun
Spell : elvz
Phonetic Transcription : ɛlvz


Définition of elves

Origin :
  • "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.
  • noun small, fairytale character
Example sentences :
  • The elves, and nixies and sprites, of all colors and many forms were on hand.
  • Extract from : « Welsh Fairy Tales » by William Elliott Griffis
  • At his birth the elves and the fairies were summoned together.
  • Extract from : « Imogen » by William Godwin
  • He invoked the spirit of his mother; he brought together an assembly of elves and goblins.
  • Extract from : « Imogen » by William Godwin
  • Wild Robin was safe, and the elves had lost their power over him forever.
  • Extract from : « Boys and Girls Bookshelf (Vol 2 of 17) » by Various
  • "Elves" they were called, and they were thought of as a cleanly and kindly race.
  • Extract from : « History of Religion » by Allan Menzies
  • In Scotland there were at least two species of elves, the Brownies and the Fairies.
  • Extract from : « Welsh Folk-Lore » by Elias Owen
  • In English the words Fairies and elves are used without any distinction.
  • Extract from : « Welsh Folk-Lore » by Elias Owen
  • The holiday-time of elves, witches, and ghosts is Hallowe'en.
  • Extract from : « The Book of Hallowe'en » by Ruth Edna Kelley
  • Even the elves were touched with compassion and tried to comfort him.
  • Extract from : « Roumanian Fairy Tales » by Various
  • Gnarled cedars, hanging precariously, might hide pixies and elves.
  • Extract from : « The White Invaders » by Raymond King Cummings

Antonyms for elves

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019