Middle English Dictionary Entry
elf n.
Entry Info
| Forms | elf n. |
| Etymology | OE had a masc. ælf, pl. ylfe (from Gmc. *alba-, *albi-) and a fem. *elfen, pl. *elfenna, -elfen (from Gmc. *albinjō-). Both words survive in ME, the former as elf (with the vowel of the pl.), pl. elves, the latter as elve(n, WM alve(n, pl. elven(e, WM alven(e. Both words occur also in ME cpds. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. elven, alven.
1.
A supernatural being having magical powers for good or evil; a spirit, fairy, goblin, incubus, succubus, or the like.
Associated quotations
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mil.(Manly-Rickert)A.3479 : I crouche thee from elues and fro wightes.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.ML.(Manly-Rickert)B.754 : The mooder was an elf, by aventure, Y-comen by charmes, or by sorcerie.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.WB.(Manly-Rickert)D.864, D.873 : In tholde dayes of the kyng Arthour .. Al was this land fulfild of fairye .. But now kan no man se none elues mo, For .. the grete charitee and prayeres Of .. holy freres .. maketh that ther been no fairyes, For ther as wont to walken was an elf, Ther walketh now the lymytour hymself ..; Wommen may go saufly vp and doun In euery bussh or vnder euery tree, Ther is noon oother incubus but he.
- a1400 Recipe MS Hal.in Rel.Ant.1 (Hal 335)53 : Whare thu dos it [mugwort] in houses, na elves na na evyll thynges may com therin.
- c1400 Daniel *Herbal (Arun 42)f.45r : The litle ben .. it arn gode & helply ageyn wicchecraftys & eluys, i. wik spiritys.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.6984 : Þeis elves, þat are wont to go In vndermeles, whan Phebus is most shene.
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)58a : Satirus: an helfe.
- a1500(?a1475) Guy(4) (Cmb Ff.2.38)11315 : Thys cuntre ys full of eluysche [?read: eluys].
- a1500(?a1475) Guy(4) (Cmb Ff.2.38)11467 : But he that ys lorde here, He is full felle on all manere. He come owte of elves londe.
2.
Cpds. (a) elf cake, an enlargement of the spleen believed to be caused by elves; (b) elf fare, deeds attributed to elves, elves' doings; (c) elf land; (d) elf quene; (e) elf-taken, bewitched by elves.
Associated quotations
a
- c1450 Med.Bk.(2) (Add 33996)155 : For þe eluene [vr. elfe cake].
- a1500 Hrl.2378 Recipes (Hrl 2378)89/16 : For the elf cake. -- Take þe rote of gladene and make poudre ther-of and ȝif the seke [i.e. one affected by evil spirits] ther-of.
b
- a1500 Conq.Irel.(Rwl B.490)16/13 : Wyth wepyn ryngynge..wyth cryynge so grymly that none ende was Of elf fare [Dub: helf far], as ofte-tymes was wonet to befall in hostyngis in Irland.
c
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)40b : Elfland.
d
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Th.(Manly-Rickert)B.1978-80 : An elf queene shal my lemman be..An elf queene wol I loue, ywys, For in this world no womman is Worthy to be my make.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.WB.(Manly-Rickert)D.860 : The elf queene with hir ioly compaignye Daunced ful ofte in many a grene mede.
e
- a1500 Med.Bk.(2) (Add 19674)155 : For hym that is Elf taken [vr. elf take].
- a1500 in Camd.25138 : For a chylde that ys elfe y-take, and may nat broke hys mete.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense 2.(a)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. elf cake.