Wichtel
German
Etymology
Wicht (“little creature, kobold”) + -el (“diminutive suffix”)
Noun
Wichtel m (genitive Wichtels, plural Wichtel)
- (folklore, fantasy) A gnome, dwarf (small industrious creature, often looking like an old man)
- A secret Santa (person who gives one an anonymous gift)
Declension
Synonyms
- (dwarf): Heinzelmännchen
Derived terms
Further reading
- “Wichtel” in Duden online