Sprite (folklore)
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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"Undine (1811) [...] is, in fact, derived from a tale told by the Renaissance physician and alchemist Paracelsus in his Treatise on Elemental Sprites."--"Supernatural Horror in Literature" (1927) by H. P. Lovecraft |
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The term sprite is a broad term referring to a number of preternatural legendary creatures. The term is generally used in reference to elf-like creatures, including fairies, and similar beings (although not earth beings), but can also signify various spiritual beings, including ghosts.
The word "sprite" is derived from the Latin "spiritus" (spirit). Variations on the term include "spright" (the origin of the adjective "sprightly", meaning "spirited" or "lively") and the Celtic "spriggan". The term is chiefly used in regard to elves and fairies in European folklore, and in modern English is rarely used in reference to spirits or other mythical creatures. Sprites can also be lightning strikes and problems involving electricity.
Wiktionary
- mythology A spirit; a soul; a shade; also, an apparition.
- mythology An elf; a fairy; a goblin.
- The green woodpecker, or yaffle.
