halfling

[ haf-ling ]

noun

1. (in fantasy stories, shows, or games) a member of a race of imaginary beings resembling humans but about half human size.
2. (in fantasy stories, shows, or games) an imaginary being having one human parent and one alien parent.
3. Chiefly Scot. a person who is halfway between a child and an adult; a youth.

adjective

1. (in fantasy stories, shows, or games) being or relating to a halfling or a member of a halfling race.
2. Chiefly Scot. between a child and an adult; half-grown.

Word History and Origins

Origin of halfling¹

First recorded in 1725–1735; half ( def ) + -ling ¹( def )

Example Sentences

"Galadriel here climbs frozen waterfalls and battles snow trolls and sea monsters while Nori takes on the Frodo role of the halfling with an eye for adventure. But in almost every other way the first two episodes feel like old hat."

From BBC

A quick playbook for those who haven’t delved into this world before: Players announce their characters, along with their characters’ classes, levels and races — dwarf, elf, halfling, gnome, dragonborn.

From New York Times

In his afterword to “Rise of the Halfling King,” David Bowles writes about the hieroglyphic script developed centuries ago by Maya kingdoms, noting that “the closest modern equivalent” he can think of for this “highly visual” way of recording stories is the graphic novel.

From New York Times

Our “halfling king” has arrived.

From New York Times

“Rise of the Halfling King” is a straightforward folk tale, with the usual good and evil archetypes and the expected ending.

From New York Times