The Collaborative International Dictionary
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.]
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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. -
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.
Usage examples of "elf shot".
Then the elf shot two more of the creatures, who had come to see what the goblin was yelling about.
The elf shot him a quizzical demand, but the shaman-to-be ignored her.