elve

[ elv ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

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

elve

/ ĕlv /

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.

Origin of elve¹

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

Elve in French means up aloft, and elve means frequently transported with excitement.

Elve le corbeau, il te crvera les yeux—Bring 25 up a raven, he will pick out your eyes.

The Danish peasantry give the following account of their Ellefolk or Elve-people.

The appearance of the Wood-woman (Skogsfru) or Elve-woman, is equally unlucky for hunters.

April 24, 2024gallimaufry

[gal-uh-maw-free ]

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