elve

American  

[elv] / ɛlv /

noun

1. an extremely dim, flattened, expanding, reddish glow briefly seen over a thunderstorm, due to electromagnetic pulses from intense lightning.

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elve Scientific  

/ ĕlv /

1. An extremely dim, short-lived, expanding disk of reddish light above thunderstorms, believed to be caused by electromagnetic pulses from intense lightning in the lower ionosphere. Elves last less than a second and can be as wide as 500 km (310 mi) in diameter.

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Etymology

Origin of elve

First recorded in 1990–95; e(mission of) l(ight and) v(ery low-frequency perturbations from) e(lectromagnetic pulse sources)

Example Sentences

Galadriel was the "alpha" elve female - the female equivalent to Feanor and the leader of the elves in Midde Earth. 

From Time • Jan. 5, 2013

Invert the tables, you misbegotten son of an elve," replied Fenton; "'tis they that are ashamed of you; there is not one among the humblest of them but would blush to name you.

From The Black Baronet; or, The Chronicles Of Ballytrain The Works of William Carleton, Volume One by Carleton, William

The term Brownie, or swarthy elve, suggests a connection between them and the Gwylliaid Cochion, or Red Fairies of Wales.

From Welsh Folk-Lore a Collection of the Folk-Tales and Legends of North Wales by Owen, Elias