(ˈɜːlˌkɪŋ) n (European Myth & Legend) German myth a malevolent spirit who carries children off to death[C18: from German Erlkönig, literally: alder king, coined in 1778 by Herder, a mistranslation of Danish ellerkonge king of the elves]
Erlking
Erlking
elf king who works mischief on children. [Ger. Folk-lore: LLEI, I: 283]See: Mischievousness