elf owl

1 definition found

elf owl - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Elf \Elf\ ([e^]lf), n.; pl. Elves ([e^]lvz). [AS. [ae]lf, ylf;
     akin to MHG. alp, G. alp nightmare, incubus, Icel. [=a]lfr
     elf, Sw. alf, elfva; cf. Skr. [.r]bhu skillful, artful, rabh
     to grasp. Cf. Auf, Oaf.]
     1. An imaginary supernatural being, commonly a little sprite,
        much like a fairy; a mythological diminutive spirit,
        supposed to haunt hills and wild places, and generally
        represented as delighting in mischievous tricks.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Every elf, and fairy sprite,
              Hop as light as bird from brier.      --Shak.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. A very diminutive person; a dwarf.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Elf arrow, a flint arrowhead; -- so called by the English
        rural folk who often find these objects of prehistoric
        make in the fields and formerly attributed them to
        fairies; -- called also elf bolt, elf dart, and elf  shot
        .
  
     Elf child, a child supposed to be left by elves, in room of
        one they had stolen. See Changeling.
  
     Elf fire, the ignis fatuus. --Brewer.
  
     Elf owl (Zo["o]l.), a small owl (Micrathene Whitneyi) of
        Southern California and Arizona.
        [1913 Webster]