elf / elf/ • n. (pl. elves / elvz/ ) a supernatural creature of folk tales, typically represented as a small, elusive figure in human form with pointed ears, magical powers, and a capricious nature.DERIVATIVES: elf·ish adj.elv·en / ˈelvən/ adj. ( poetic/lit. )elv·ish / ˈelvish/ adj.

Elf ★★★ 2003 (PG)

As a baby, Buddy (Ferrell) had snuck into Santa's bag and found himself transported to the North Pole. The elves adopted the human and raised him as an elf. When he learns of his human origins (the enormous size difference didn't tip him off?), he goes to New York to search for his real father. Daddy turns out to be a Walter Hobbs (Caan), a highly insensitive children's book publisher who needs a good dose of Christmas cheer. While it's all straight-ahead Christmas movie formula, Ferrell's unabashed innocence and delight in everything helps pull it off. It also helps that he looks so darn funny in yellow tights. Director Favreau makes a cameo as a doctor. 95m/C VHS, DVD, UMD . US Will Ferrell, James Caan, Bob Newhart, Ed Asner, Mary Steenburgen, Zooey Deschanel, Faizon Love, Daniel Tay, Peter Dinklage, Amy Sedaris, Michael Lerner, Andy Richter, Jon Favreau; D: Jon Favreau; W: David Barenbaum; C: Greg Gardiner; M: John Debney.

elf a supernatural creature of folk tales, typically represented as a small, delicate, elusive figure in human form with pointed ears, magical powers, and a capricious nature. The word is recorded from Old English and is of Germanic origin; related to German Alp ‘nightmare’.
elf-arrow a name for a flint arrowhead (regarded as an elves' weapon).
elf-locks a tangled mass of hair, as said to have been tangled by supernatural agency.

elf dwarf supernatural being OE.; mischievous creature XVI. OE. elf, WS. *ielf, ylf = MDu. elf, beside MHG. elbe fem. :- *albiz, parallel to *albaz, whence OE. ælf (ME. pl. alven) = OS., MLG. alf, MHG. alp (G. alp nightmare), ON. álfr.
Hence elfin adj. XVI (poss. suggested by ME. elevene, g. pl. of elf), elfish XVI, elvish XIV.

ELF • abbr. extremely low frequency.