elfishly

Also found in: Thesaurus.

elf·ish

(ĕl′fĭsh) also elv·ish (ĕl′vĭsh)

adj.

1. Of or relating to elves.

2. Prankish; mischievous.

elf′ish·ly adv.

elf′ish·ness n.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Mentioned in ?

elfish

References in periodicals archive ?

In the climactic scene, Leonard is given all this information by Teddy, a corrupt policeman (elfishly and sinisterly portrayed by Joe Pantoliano) whom Leonard has reason to distrust.

PLAY IT AGAIN

Emily Watson's captivating performance as the heroine deserves an Academy Award and has prompted comparison to that of Giulietta Massina in "La Strada." Her elfishly mobile face shifts from delight to humility as she cleans the local church, which is controlled by incredibly wicked elders who casually assign the dead to hell and whose views of women's roles make those of John Paul II seem wildly permissive.

Breaking the Waves

Norris, the s elfishly erring Bertram sisters, and the unprincipled Mary Crawford.