elfin

Meaning

Noun

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

Adj

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

Synonyms

elvish

elflike

elfish

fey

inscrutable

magical

mysterious

mystical

secret

㊙️

secretive

elfinwood

krummholz

sibyllic

elfin tree

charming

elve

delicate

fairy

🧚

imp

👿

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈɛlfɪn/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: elven

Inherited from Old English: elfen

Cognate with Middle High German: elbinne

In summary

From Middle English elven, from Old English elfen, ælfen (“nymph, spirit, fairy”), feminine of elf, ælf (“elf”), equivalent to elf + -in. Cognate with Middle High German elbinne (“a fairy, nymph”).