halfling
Americannoun
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(in fantasy stories, shows, or games) a member of a race of imaginary beings resembling humans but about half human size.
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(in fantasy stories, shows, or games) an imaginary being having one human parent and one alien parent.
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Chiefly Scot. a person who is halfway between a child and an adult; a youth.
adjective
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(in fantasy stories, shows, or games) being or relating to a halfling or a member of a halfling race.
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Chiefly Scot. between a child and an adult; half-grown.
Etymology
Origin of halfling
First recorded in 1725–1735; half ( def. ) + -ling 1 ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A quick playbook for those who haven’t delved into this world before: Players announce their characters, along with their characters’ classes, levels and races — dwarf, elf, halfling, gnome, dragonborn.
From New York Times ● May 21, 2022
What does he really think about some hairy-footed halfling and a bunch of do-gooders throwing his best costume jewellery into a volcano?
From The Guardian ● Jun. 18, 2015
Martin Freeman is Tolkien's halfling hero and his "Sherlock" costar Benedict Cumberbatch supplies the voice of the fearsome dragon in Peter Jackson's 2013 sequel "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug."
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 22, 2014
You can play a dwarf, elf, halfling or human.
From Forbes ● Apr. 17, 2013
And some said that when the Riders came from Rohan each would bring behind him a halfling warrior, small maybe, but doughty.
From "The Return of the King" by J.R.R. Tolkien
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