light elf

English

The god Freyr, the lord of the light-elves in Norse mythology

Etymology

Back-formation from light elves, a calque of Old Norse ljósalfar.

Noun

light elf (plural light elves)

1. (Norse mythology) A member of the race of Ljósalfar, daylight dwelling elves or nature spirits (as opposed to the underground dwelling dark elves or dwarves).
   • 2017, Neil Gaiman, Norse Mythology, Bloomsbury Publishing, page 20:

     Alfheim, where the light elves live. The light elves are as beautiful as the sun or the stars.

2. (fantasy) One of a race of elves who live above ground and are radiant.

Translations

light elves (plural)

• German: Lichtelben m pl
• Old Norse: Ljósálfar

See also

• dark elf

References

• Bulfinch, Thomas (1834). Bulfinch's Mythology. New York: Harper & Row, 1970, p. 348. →ISBN.
• Marshall Jones Company (1930). Mythology of All Races Series, Volume 2 Eddic, Great Britain: Marshall Jones Company, 1930, pp. 220-221.