English
Etymology
A part-translation of German Erlkönig literally âalder-kingâ, a mistranslation of Danish ellerkonge âking of the elvesâ.
wikipedia
Pronunciation
IPA|/'É:lkɪÅ/
Noun
en-noun
- in German mythology, a giant who preys on children
#:*1962: This line, and indeed the whole passage (lines 653-664), allude to the well-known poem by Goethe about the erlking, hoary enchanter of the elf-haunted alderwood, who falls in love with the delicate little boy of a belated traveler. â Vladimir Nabokov, Pale Fire
Alternative forms
erl-king
ru:erlking
zh:erlking
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