svartalfar

Old Norse

Etymology

svartr (“black”) +‎ alfar (“elves”) (note that svartr refers to black objects and black hair, but not black skin; for black skin, blár is used)

Proper noun

svartalfar m pl

1. (Norse mythology) the “black elves”

Usage notes

Whether the svartalfar are the same beings as the dǫkkalfar is unclear; whether either or each term is a kenning for "dwarves" is also unclear.

See also

• alfar (“elves”)
• Svartalfaheim
• dǫkkalfar (“dark elves”)
• ljósalfar (“light elves”)