elfen

See also Elfen

English

Etymology

From elf +‎ -en. Compare elfin, elven.

Adjective

elfen (comparative more elfen, superlative most elfen)

1. Belonging to, or relating to, elves.
   • 1857, Olaf Liliekrans, A Play in Three Acts:

     ALFHILD. Were I an elfen maid, then truly, say I, it would fare with you ill! / OLAF. Forsooth, then are you the elfen maid!

   • 2008, Diane Fürch, caption to Elfen Scout:

     Everyday she patrols the borders of the elfen realm to make sure that humans stay out.

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Old English

Alternative forms

• ælfen
• ielfen

Etymology

Feminine of elf, equivalent to elf +‎ -en. Cognate with Middle High German elbinne (“a fairy, nymph”).

Noun

elfen f (nominative plural elfena)

1. A female elf, a fairy, nymph

Derived terms

• dūnelfen f — mountain nymph
• sǣlfen f — sea nymph
• wæterelfen f — water nymph
• wūduelfen f — wood nymph
• wyldeelfen f — tree nymph

Descendants

• English: elfin, elven

References

• 1916, John R. Clark, "A Concise Anglo-Saxon Dictionary for the Use of Students", elfen et al.
• Bosworth, J. (2010, March 21). An Anglo-Saxon Dictionary Online (T. N. Toller & Others, Eds.), elfen. Retrieved December 12, 2011
• Elfen on Wikipedia.Wikipedia