svartalfar

Old Norse

Etymology

svartr (black) + alfar (elves) (note that svartr refers to black objects and black hair, but not black skin; for black skin, blár is used)

Proper noun

svartalfar m pl

  1. (Norse mythology) the “black elves”

Usage notes

Whether the svartalfar are the same beings as the dǫkkalfar is unclear; whether either or each term is a kenning for "dwarves" is also unclear.

See also

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