sylph

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(silf)

noun

  1. in Paracelsus's alchemical system, any of a class of mortal, soulless beings supposed to inhabit the air
  2. a slender, graceful woman or girl

Origin: ModL sylphus, coined (prob. by Philippus Aureolus Paracelsus) < ? L sylva, silva (see sylvan) + nympha, nymph

Related Forms:

See sylph in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. A slim, graceful woman or girl.
  2. In the occult philosophy of Paracelsus, a being that has air as its element.

Origin:

Origin: New Latin sylpha

Origin: , perhaps blend of Latin sylvestris, of the forest (from silva, sylva, forest)

Origin: and Latin nympha, nymph; see nymph

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