elfin

English

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈɛlfɪn/, X-SAMPA: /"ElfIn/

  Rhymes: -ɛlfɪn

Etymology 1

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”).

Noun

elfin (plural elfins)

1. An elf; an inhabitant of fairy-land.
2. A little urchin or child.

Etymology 2

Partly from attributive use of Etymology 1, but reanalysed by Spenser as if equivalent to elf +‎ -en.

Adjective

elfin (comparative more elfin, superlative most elfin)

1. Relating to or resembling an elf, especially in its tiny size or features.
   • 2012 May 24, Nathan Rabin, “Film: Reviews: Men In Black 3”, The Onion AV Club:

     He’s forced to travel back to 1969 to prevent an evil alien (a shockingly effective, nearly unrecognizable Jemaine Clement of Flight Of The Conchords, playing sort of a psychotic extraterrestrial-biker serial killer) from destroying the world by killing Brolin. Smith is aided in his quest by an elfin, time-jumping alien with psychic powers played by another Coen brothers veteran, A Serious Man star Michael Stuhlbarg.

Synonyms

• elvish