of or like an elf; tiny, delicate, etc.
Origin of elfin
probably from Middle English elvene, genitive plural : see elf an elf
elfin
elf·inWebster's New World College Dictionary, Fifth Edition Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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"elfin." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 14 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/elfin>.
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elfin. (n.d.). Retrieved January 14th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/elfin
elfin
adjective
- a. Relating to or suggestive of an elf.b. Made, done, or produced by an elf.
- Small and sprightly or mischievous.
- Having a magical quality or charm; fairylike: moved across the dimly lit stage with elfin grace.
Origin of elfin
Probably from Middle English elvene pl. of elve elf from Old English -elfen ( as in wuduelfen dryad ); see albho- in Indo-European roots.THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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Cite this page
MLA Style
"elfin." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 14 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/elfin>.
APA Style
elfin. (n.d.). Retrieved January 14th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/elfin
Origin
From Middle English elven, from Old English elfen, ælfen (“nymph, spirit, fairy”), diminutive of elf, ælf (“elf”), equivalent to elf + -en. Cognate with Middle High German elbinne (“a fairy, nymph”).
Adjective
(comparative more elfin, superlative most elfin)
- Relating to or resembling an elf, especially in its tiny size or features.
Origin
Partly from attributive use of Etymology 1, but reanalysed by Spenser as if equivalent to elf + -en.
English Wiktionary. Available under CC-BY-SA license.
Link to this page
Cite this page
MLA Style
"elfin." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 14 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/elfin>.
APA Style
elfin. (n.d.). Retrieved January 14th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/elfin
