sylphlike

Variant of sylph

sylph definition

sylph (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

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

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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