elfin

Meanings

Noun

• An elf; an inhabitant of fairy-land.
• A little urchin or child.
• Any of the butterflies in the subgenus Incisalia (subgenus) of the North American lycaenid genus Callophrys (genus).

Adjective

• Relating to or resembling an elf or elves, especially in its tiny size or features.

Related

Similar words

• see list in elven

Origin

• From Middle English elven, from Old English elfen, ælfen, feminine of elf, ælf, equivalent to elf + -en. Cognate with Middle High German elbinne ("a fairy, nymph").
• Partly from attributive use of Etymology 1, but reanalysed by Spenser as if equivalent to elf + -en. Compare elven, elvan.