A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1590-1662
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Elf-arrow, -errow, n. [Elf n.] A flint arrowhead, supposed to be one used by the elves. Attrib. with heid, stone. 1590 Digest Justiciary Proc. M. 17.
The said Loskie Loncart tuik tua elfe errow heidis, … and thow shoot tua schoittis with the said errow heid 1590 Ib. 25.
Ane elff arrow heid quhilk the said George Cuik ressavit 1662 Criminal Trials III. ii. 607.
As for elf-arrow-heidis, the Devill shapes them (and delivers them) to elf-boyis, who whyttis and dightis them with a sharp thing lyk a paking neidle — 1628 Stirling Ant. IV. 187.
He … put one elffarrow stone in the water, becaus it wes ane remedie against the fairies schott 1628 Ib. 190.
He … rubbed his breist and his bak with ane elffarrow stone 1662 Highland P. III. 19.
He gave her ane elf errow stone to shott him
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"Elf-arrow n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/elf_arrow>
