Ouphs

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Mischievous little elves or goblins from folklore, often imagined as sprites that play tricks on people
2. Fairy spirits of folk belief, especially small, impish creatures or changelings left in place of children
3. Tiny supernatural beings of old legend, typically depicted as playful, mischievous sprites or goblins

Etymology: "Ouphs" is the plural of "ouph," a word that ultimately comes from an older form of "elf" and similar Germanic roots. The singular "ouph" is an old term for a small supernatural being, a sprite or goblin, and it survives mainly in literary and folkloric writing. Its plural follows the regular English pattern of adding an "s," so "ouphs" refers to more than one such creature.

Synonyms: elf, changeling