Standard Lemma guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
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adj
Of or relating to certain veins of feldspathic or porphyritic rock crossing metalliferous veins in the mining districts of Cornwall.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: business, mining
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
adj
Elven, elfin, pertaining to elves.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: uncommon
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
The rock of an elvan vein, or the vein itself.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
Topics: business, mining
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: elvanite
Antonyms: none provided
History
From a Cornish word, perhaps Cornish elven, elvan (“spark”) because the hard rock could be struck to spark fire.
Variation of elven (or elfin, which see for more) influenced by -an.
