elf-maiden

English

Etymology

From elf +‎ maiden.

Noun

elf-maiden (plural elf-maidens)

  1. elfmaid, a female elf.
    • 1845, Hans Christian Andersen, translated by Mary Howitt, Only a Fiddler! and O.T., volume II, London: Richard Bentley, page 298:
      “There upon the hill, close by the wood, did I act the elf-maiden,” said Sophie.
    • 1847 September 11, William J. Thoms, “The Folk-lore of Shakespeare”, in The Athenaeum, London, page 958, column 1:
      That elf-maiden smote with her hand so white,
      “Sorrow and sickness on thee alight”
      That elf-maiden smote with her cap so small,
      “No more shall priest's benison on thee fall!”
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