svartalfar
Old Norse
editEtymology
editsvartr (“black”) + alfar (“elves”) (note that svartr refers to black objects and black hair, but not black skin; for black skin, blár is used)
Proper noun
editsvartalfar m pl
Usage notes
editWhether the svartalfar are the same beings as the dǫkkalfar is unclear; whether either or each term is a kenning for "dwarves" is also unclear.
See also
edit- alfar (“elves”)
- Svartalfaheim
- dǫkkalfar (“dark elves”)
- ljósalfar (“light elves”)