Elf vs. Gremlin — What's the Difference?

An elf (plural: elves) is a type of humanoid supernatural being in Germanic mythology and folklore (especially North Germanic mythology and folklore). In medieval Germanic-speaking cultures, elves generally seem to have been thought of as beings with magical powers and supernatural beauty, ambivalent towards everyday people and capable of either helping or hindering them.

A gremlin is a mischievous folkloric creature that causes malfunctions in aircraft or other machinery. Depictions of these creatures vary.

A mythical creature in human form but usually smaller, often considered mischievous.

An imaginary mischievous sprite regarded as responsible for an unexplained mechanical or electronic problem or fault

A lively, mischievous child.

An imaginary gnomelike creature to whom mechanical problems, especially in aircraft, are attributed.

A usually sprightly or mischievous or sometimes spiteful person.

A maker of mischief.

(Norse mythology) A luminous spirit presiding over nature and fertility and dwelling in the world of Álfheim (Elfland). Compare angel, nymph, fairy.

(obsolete) A contemptible person.

Any from a race of mythical, supernatural beings resembling but seen as distinct from human beings. They are usually delicate-featured and skilled in magic or spellcrafting; sometimes depicted as clashing with dwarves, especially in modern fantasy literature.

An imaginary creature reputed to be mischievously inclined to damage or dismantle machinery.

(fantasy) Any of the magical, typically forest-guarding races bearing some similarities to the Norse álfar (through Tolkien's Eldar).

(by extension)

A very diminutive person; a dwarf.

Any mysterious, unknown source of mischief or trouble, or the problem created thereby.

(South Africa) The bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix).

A young, inexperienced surfer, seen as being a nuisance.

To twist into elflocks (of hair); to mat.

(folklore) fairies that are somewhat mischievous

An imaginary supernatural being, commonly a little sprite, much like a fairy; a mythological diminutive spirit, supposed to haunt hills and wild places, and generally represented as delighting in mischievous tricks.

A very diminutive person; a dwarf.

To entangle mischievously, as an elf might do.

(folklore) fairies that are somewhat mischievous

Below 3 kilohertz