elve

[ elv ]

noun

1. an extremely dim, flattened, expanding, reddish glow briefly seen over a thunderstorm, due to electromagnetic pulses from intense lightning.

elve

/ ĕlv /

1. An extremely dim, short-lived, expanding disk of reddish light above thunderstorms, believed to be caused by electromagnetic pulses from intense lightning in the lower ionosphere. Elves last less than a second and can be as wide as 500 km (310 mi) in diameter.

Word History and Origins

Origin of elve¹

First recorded in 1990–95; e(mission of) l(ight and) v(ery low-frequency perturbations from) e(lectromagnetic pulse sources)

Example Sentences

Elve in French means up aloft, and elve means frequently transported with excitement.

From Project Gutenberg

Elve le corbeau, il te crvera les yeux—Bring 25 up a raven, he will pick out your eyes.

From Project Gutenberg

The Danish peasantry give the following account of their Ellefolk or Elve-people.

From Project Gutenberg

The appearance of the Wood-woman (Skogsfru) or Elve-woman, is equally unlucky for hunters.

From Project Gutenberg