adj
eldritch
Eldritch (adj) means Strange and frightening in a way that seems otherworldly.
adj
1
Strange and frightening in a way that seems otherworldly.
"The Scandinavian Eddas and Sagas thunder with cosmic horror, and shake with the stark fear of Ymir and his shapeless spawn; whilst our own Anglo-Saxon Beowulf and the later Continental Nibelung tales are full of eldritch weirdness."
— H. P. Lovecraft, Introduction (1925)
"The thing advanced to the table. The bright flame of the slush lamp caught its eye. It was amused, and gave voice to eldritch cackles which betokened mirth."
— Jack London, An Odyssey of the North (1900)
"Surprise, horror, loathing were depicted on all faces while he eyed them with a ghostly grin. I anticipated some such reception, he began with an eldritch laugh, for which, it seems, history is to blame."
— James Joyce, [14] (1922)
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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.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of eldritch?
"eldritch" (adj) means strange and frightening in a way that seems otherworldly.
What is another word for eldritch?
Other words for "eldritch" include uncanny, weird, unearthly.
What is the opposite of eldritch?
The opposite of "eldritch" is natural.
