elf Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun (folklore) fairies that are somewhat mischievous
    gremlin; hob; brownie; pixie; imp; pixy.
  2. noun below 3 kilohertz
    extremely low frequency.

WordNet

Elf noun
Etymology
AS. ælf, ylf; akin to MHG. alp, G. alp nightmare, incubus, Icel. ltr elf, Sw. alf, elfva; cf. Skr. rbhu skillful, artful, rabh to grasp. Cf. Auf, Oaf.
Wordforms
plural Elves
Definitions
  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.
    Every elf, and fairy sprite, Hop as light as bird from brier. Shak.
  2. A very diminutive person; a dwarf.
Elf transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To entangle mischievously, as an elf might do.
    Elf all my hair in knots. Shak.

Webster 1913