Elf: meaning, definitions and examples

Typically seen in fantasy literature and folklore as magical beings with pointed ears, often depicted as wise and graceful. Elves are known to live in forests or magical realms.

• 'The elves sang a song of ancient magic as they worked
• ' 'Elrond, the elf lord, welcomed the travelers to Rivendell
• '

Commonly used to describe small, magical creatures with wings, often depicted as playful and whimsical. Fairies are associated with nature and are usually helpful but sometimes mischievous.

• 'The fairy granted three wishes to anyone who found her
• ' 'Children often leave out milk and honey for the garden fairies
• '

Tiny, agile, and ethereal beings, often linked to water and air. Sprites are seen as embodiment of liveliness and speed, generally friendly but elusive.

• 'Sprinkles of light danced around the forest, the sprites celebrating the new moon
• ' 'Only the quickest eyes could catch a glimpse of the sprites at dawn
• '

Refers to small, often bearded creatures that live underground, known for their skills in craftsmanship and affinity for nature. Gnomes are practical and down-to-earth but have a magical element.

• 'The gnome sculptor crafted a beautiful statue from stone
• ' 'Legends say the gnomes guard hidden treasures in the forest
• '

Use 'ELF' when referring to the Executable and Linkable Format, a common file format for executables, object code, shared libraries, and core dumps in operating systems like Unix. This is a highly technical term used mainly in programming and software development.

• The programmer needed to inspect the ELF file to debug the application.
• Linux systems typically use the ELF format for their binaries.

Use 'executable and linkable format' when a more formal or descriptive explanation of ELF is required. This can be useful in documentation or technical specifications where clarity is important.

• The manual provided a comprehensive overview of the executable and linkable format used by the system.
• Understanding the executable and linkable format is essential for anyone working with Linux binaries.

Use 'object file' when talking about the intermediate output produced by a compiler. Object files contain machine code and some metadata, and they need to be linked to form an executable.

• The compiler generated an object file that still needed to be linked with libraries.
• Developers analyze object files to understand issues during the compilation process.

Use when referring to a mythical creature from folklore or fantasy literature, often depicted as small, magical, and adept at various tasks. The word can also have a playful or whimsical connotation when describing someone's appearance or behavior.

• In the book, the elf helped the heroes find their way through the enchanted forest.
• She moved with the grace of an elf, light and almost magical.

Best used to describe someone who exhibits quick and light movements, particularly in the context of sports or games. It conveys a sense of speed and agility in a more colloquial and informal setting.

• The nimble player dodged all the defenders and scored a goal.
• Everyone admired the nimble player's quick reflexes on the basketball court.

Appropriate when describing a sports person who shows exceptional speed, coordination, and grace during physical activities. Highlighting physical skills, fitness, and dexterity in a more formal or descriptive manner.

• The agile athlete effortlessly cleared the high jump bar.
• He watched the agile athlete complete the obstacle course in record time.