Elf \Elf\ ([e^]lf), n.; pl. Elves ([e^]lvz). [AS. [ae]lf, ylf; akin to MHG. alp, G. alp nightmare, incubus, Icel. [=a]lfr elf, Sw. alf, elfva; cf. Skr. [.r]bhu skillful, artful, rabh to grasp. Cf. Auf, Oaf.]

1. An imaginary supernatural being, commonly a little sprite, much like a fairy; a mythological diminutive spirit, supposed to haunt hills and wild places, and generally represented as delighting in mischievous tricks.

Every elf, and fairy sprite, Hop as light as bird from brier. --Shak.

2. A very diminutive person; a dwarf.

Elf arrow, a flint arrowhead; -- so called by the English rural folk who often find these objects of prehistoric make in the fields and formerly attributed them to fairies; -- called also elf bolt, elf dart, and elf shot.

Elf child, a child supposed to be left by elves, in room of one they had stolen. See Changeling.

Elf fire, the ignis fatuus. --Brewer.

Elf owl (Zo["o]l.), a small owl (Micrathene Whitneyi) of Southern California and Arizona.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Elf \Elf\, v. t. To entangle mischievously, as an elf might do.

Elf all my hair in knots. --Shak.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Elves \Elves\, n.; pl. of Elf. Elvish \Elv"ish\, a.

1. Pertaining to elves; implike; mischievous; weird; also, vacant; absent in demeanor. See Elfish.

He seemeth elvish by his countenance. --Chaucer.

2. Mysterious; also, foolish. [Obs.]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)