erlking

[ url-king ]

noun

1. a spirit or personified natural power that works mischief, especially to children.

erlking

/ ˈɜːlˌkɪŋ /

noun

1. German myth a malevolent spirit who carries children off to death

Word History and Origins

Origin of erlking¹

1790–1800; < German Erlkönig alder (tree) king, J. G. von Herder's mistrans. of Danish ellerkonge, variant of elverkonge king of the elves

Word History and Origins

Origin of erlking¹

C18: from German Erlkönig, literally: alder king, coined in 1778 by Herder, a mistranslation of Danish ellerkonge king of the elves

Example Sentences

The voice of the Erlking is a continuous, soft, uninterrupted stream of tone, upon which the whispered words are hung.

From Project Gutenberg

Erlking invites the boy to play with his daughters, who shall dance with him and rock him and sing to him.

From Project Gutenberg

“The Erlking” of Schubert is especially hinted at, just as the first movement was prophetic of Beethoven.

From Project Gutenberg

Angela was left crying over the beauty of "The Erlking," the last song rendered.

From Project Gutenberg

Herr Schubert puffed and blew, and "The Erlking" pranced and thumped.

From Project Gutenberg