[f. ELF sb. + SHOT.]

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  1.  ‘Disease, supposed to be produced by the immediate agency of evil spirits’ (Jam.).

2

[c. 1000.  Ags. Leechd., III. 54. Ylfa ʓescot.]

3

1681.  Glanvill, Sadducismus (1726), 398. The sickness of William Black was an Elf-shot.

4

1841.  Borrow, Zincali, I. I. ix. 156. Shepherds and cowherds … are most exposed to the effects of the elf-shot.

5

  2.  Sc. A flint arrow-head; see quot.

6

1769.  Pennant, Tour Scotl. (1774), 101. Elf-shots … are supposed to be weapons shot by fairies at cattle.

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