Halflings

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A race often depicted in fantasy literature as small humanoid beings, typically with an affinity for nature and a peaceful disposition
2. Characters commonly characterized by their love for comfort, community, and a simple lifestyle, often living in burrows or rural settings
3. Creatures known for their agility and stealth, usually possessing characteristics that blend human traits with those of other diminutive beings in mythology

Etymology: Halflings are a fantasy invention, and the word's history is a matter of record rather than folklore. J.R.R. Tolkien used "hobbit" for his small people in The Hobbit (1937), but the term "halfling" entered the genre through Dungeons & Dragons, where Gary Gygax and the other early designers used it in the 1974 rules for a small race of folk. Tolkien's books were the model, but "halfling" was a distinct coinage for the game, and its name is the clearest clue to its meaning. The word is a compound of "half" and the suffix "-ling," a combination English has long used for small or young beings, as in "duckling," "gosling," and "underling." Its literal sense is something like "half-sized" or "little one," which is why the term suits a race that stands about half the height of humans. The "-ling" suffix comes from Old English, so the word's parts are native English throughout.