| 释义 |
elfish, a.|ˈɛlfɪʃ|
[f. elf + -ish.]
Pertaining to elves; weird, spectral; of the nature of an elf, resembling an elf; tricksy, mischievous; formerly also of inanimate things, unmanageable, intractable. See elvish.
The older form elvish is still the more usual; but in some connexions elfish might be preferred on account of its more obvious relation to the primitive n.
1542Udall Erasm. Apoph. 296 b, The Cypres tree..is elfishe and frowarde to spryng vp. 1583Stanyhurst Aeneis ii. (Arb.) 68 The goast of verye Creüsa..mad her elfish aparance. a1791Yng. Tom Line xv. in Child Ballads ii. 343/2 If my lord were an earthly knight, As he's an elfish grey. 1798Coleridge Anc. Mariner iv. xii, The elfish light Fell off in hoary flakes. a1802Yng. Tamlane xxxii. in Child Ballads ii. 354/2 Then would I never tire..In Elfish land to dwell. 1856Kane Arct. Expl. I. xxviii. 372 Three men, Ootuniak, our elfish rogue Myouk, and a stranger. 1876Freeman Norm. Conq. I. App. 770 The elfish names are mainly English. |