Chiefly with the. The supernatural or magical beings inhabiting such a realm; fairies (sense A. 3a) collectively. Cf. faerie, n. 1b. Somewhat rare in…

Scottish. A fairy, an elf, a brownie. Usually in plural with our or the, as a propitiatory name. Cf. good people at good, adj. n.adv. int.compound…

With the and plural agreement: faeries collectively. Cf. fairy, n. 2b. rare before 20th cent.

(with the) the fairies or elves collectively; (also occasionally) witches collectively; cf. good folk n., good neighbour, n. 2.

English regional (south-western). Fairies. Cf. little people, n. 4.

In folklore: small beings with a human form; fairies, gremlins, sprites, etc. Cf. little man, n. 5.

With plural agreement. The fairy folk, fairies, often identified as the remnant of the ancient Tuatha Dé Danann. Cf. sheogue, n.

Chiefly Irish English. Esp. in Irish folklore: the ‘little people’, the fairies. Cf. gentle, adj. n.adv., gentlefolk, n. 2.

In plural. In folklore: small beings with a male human form; elves, leprechauns, etc. Cf. little green man n. at little, adj. pron.n. adv.compounds…

= small people, n. 1.

In folklore: small beings with a human form; fairies, etc.; = little people, n. 4.

(Usually as two words.) Esp. in Irish folklore: the ‘little people’, the fairies; = gentle-people, n. 2.

the wee folk: the fairies.

(with the or occasionally in plural) fairies or elves collectively; also occasionally witches collectively; cf. fair folk n. at fair, adj. n.1compound…

Chiefly English regional (south midlands and southern). A fairy.

Esp. in Irish folklore: the ‘little people’, the fairies; cf. gentry, n. 5b gentlefolk, n. 2.

Fairies collectively. Obsolete. rare.

folk of peace: fairy folk, fairies. Scottish.