What is the Latin word for elf?

The usual Latin words for “elf” are incubō, Ephialtēs, Scrībōnius; also Măcrŏbĭus. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

English → Latin

“elf” in Latin

incubōto lie, sit, or settle in, on or upon; recline; to sit upon to brood or hatch; to abide in; to inhabit Ephialtēsan Athenian statesman; a mythological giant, brother of Otus ScrībōniusGaius Scribonius Curio, a Roman statesman and orator; Scribonius Largus, a Roman physician Măcrŏbĭusa Roman grammarian at the end of the fourth century, author of a commentary on Cicero's

Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864

elf

an imaginary evil spirit), incubo (Scribonius, Larg. ab incubone deludi); ephialtes (Macrobius). But these were supposed to be the cause of nightmare. [Vid: FAIRY.] Elf looks, *intorti capilli.

Quick answer

What is the Latin word for elf?: The usual Latin words for “elf” are incubō, Ephialtēs, Scrībōnius; also Măcrŏbĭus. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.