Eldritch
/ˈɛl.dɹɪt͡ʃ/ adj
adj ·Rare ·Advanced level
Definitions
Adjective
- 1 Unearthly, supernatural, eerie, preternatural.
"So Maggie runs, the witches follow, / Wi' mony an eldritch ſkreech and hollow."
Adjective
- 1 suggesting the operation of supernatural influences wordnet
Example
More examples"The planet is hollow and filled with Eldritch horrors."
Etymology
From the earlier form elritch, of uncertain origin. The second element, -ritch, is generally taken to be Old English rīċe (“realm, kingdom”). Some think that the first element, el-, derives from an Old English root meaning “foreign, strange, other” (related to Old English ellende and modern English else); others think that it derives from elf. It was reintroduced into popular literature by the writings of H. P. Lovecraft.