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ielf. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
ielf, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
ielf in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
ielf you have here. The definition of the word
ielf will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
ielf, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
Old English
Alternative forms
Etymology
From Proto-Germanic *albiz.
Pronunciation
Noun
ielf m
- elf
Usage notes
- Ielf is the native West Saxon form (ylf in Late West Saxon). However, the Mercian form ælf was borrowed into West Saxon at an early date, and often appears instead of ielf even in West Saxon texts.
- Only ælf is used in names. Even Wessex's most famous king used the Mercian form of his name, Ælfrēd. The native form would have been *Ielfrǣd.
- Aside from a small group of pluralia tantum mostly consisting of names of peoples (e.g. Engle, Dene), ielf is the only word that retains the inherited nominative/accusative plural of masculine i-stem nouns, ending in -e instead of -as.
- Not much is known of how the Anglo-Saxons viewed elves. What is certain is that elves were seen as supernatural beings of striking feminine beauty, either human-like or a special group of humans, who afflicted people with diseases and ailments, including mental illness; most prominently, they used magic to give people irrational thoughts or drive them insane. With their beauty and power to influence the mind, they were probably also thought to seduce and rape people.
- Elves are mentioned alongside demons in Beowulf and Anglo-Saxon medical texts, but there is evidence that not everyone considered elves completely malevolent. Parents often named their children after elves, with names such as Ælfġiefu ("elf gift") and Ælfwine ("elf friend"). Wayland the Smith, a hero of Germanic legend who is praised several times in the scant remains of Anglo-Saxon poetry, was an elf.
Declension
Declension of ielf (strong i-stem)
Derived terms
Descendants