ælf

See also: älf and Ælf

Old English

Alternative forms

  • ielfe

Etymology

From Proto-Germanic *albiz, of uncertain origin, possibly from Proto-Indo-European *albʰós “white” (compare related Latin albus) or *lbʰu- “skillful” (compare related Sanskrit ऋभुस् Ribhus, ṛbʰú-). Cognate with Old Saxon alf, Middle High German alp, Old Norse alfr (Swedish elf).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ælf/

Noun

ælf m (nominative plural ylfe)

  1. elf, sprite, fairy, incubus
    Wið ælfe gnid myrran on win. — [To protect] against an elf, rub myrrh in wine.

Derived terms

  • ælfcynn n — elfin race
  • ælfādl f. — nightmare
  • ælf-scīene — bright as an elf or fairy, beautiful, radiant
  • ælf-scīnu — shining like an elf or fairy, elfin-bright, of elfin beauty
  • ælfsiden f — elvish influence, nightmare
  • ælfsogoþa m — hiccup
  • ælfþone f — nightshade
  • Ælf — Alf
  • ælfen, ielfen f. — fairy, nymph
  • ielfig — raving, frantic, mad

Descendants

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