elfin (elfin)

and a. [An artificial (poetical) form, first used by Spenser; in form as if an adj. (for * elfen, ed as diminutive. Cf. AS. elfen, alfen, alb in pears as a noun, and in def. 2 is appar. regard(usually in comp.) (= MHG. elbinne ), a fairy, nymph, fem. of alf, an elf: see elf. ] I. n. 1. An elf; an inhabitant of fairy-land: in Spenser applied to his knights. He was an Elfin borne of noble state And mickle worship in his native land. Spenser, F. Q., II. i. 6. 2. A little urchin or child. [Playful.] For she was just, and friend to virtuous lore, And pa 'd much time in truly virtuous deed; And in those elfins ' ears would oft deplore The times, when truth by Popish rage did bleed. Shenstone, The Schoolmistre , st. 15. The Stone Arrow Heads of the old Inhabitants of this Island (that are sometimes found) are vulgarly supposed to be Weapons shot by Fairies at Cattle. They are called Bourne's Pop. Antiq . (1777), p. 117, note. Elf -shots. elf-skint (elf's kin), n. A word found only in the following pa age, where it is probably a misprint for eel - skin (in allusion to Prince Henry's long and lank figure). Fal . Away, you starveling, you elf - skin , you dried neat's tongue. Shak., 1 Hen. IV., ii. 4. elf-stone (elf's ton), n. Same as elf - bolt. elger (el'ger), n. [E. dial., Eliac (ē'li-ak), a. Pertaining to Elis, an ancient city of the Greek Peloponnesus. Also Elean. - Eliac school, a school of philosophy founded in Elis by Phædo, a scholar and favorite of So crates. Its doctrines are conjectured to have been ethical, and somewhat skeptical concerning the theory of cognition. elicit (e-lis'it), v. t. [ elicit lision; to elicit truth by discu ion; to elicit approval. From the words taken together such a sense must be elicited as will give a meaning to each word. Bacon , Advancement of Learning, ii. 254. That may justly elicit the a ent of reasonable men. Sir M. Hale , Orig. of Mankind, p. 129. It is not the composition of the piece, but the number of starts and attitudes that may be introduced, that elicits applause. Goldsmith , Vicar, xviii. The inquiry at Strath am was calculated to elicit the truth. D. Webster , Good rich Case, April, 1817. elicitt (e-lis'it), a. [L. elicit us , pp.: see the verb.] 1. Immediately directed to an end: opposed to imperate. To give alms is a proper and elicite act of charity. Jer. Taylor , Rule of Conscience, ii. 3. 2. Performed by the will itself without the aid of any other faculty: as, volition, nolition, choice, consent, and the like are elicit acts: opposed to imperate. The schools dispute whether in morals the external acelicit act of the will. tion superadds anything of good or evil to the internal South , Works, I. 3.