Definition of faeries

 

Faerie:  from the Latin term for "fate" (fata), faeries (or fairies) are a "host of supernatural beings and spirits who occupy a focal point between earth and heaven" (Guiley). This is in recognition of the skill faeries had in predicting and even controlling human destiny. Faeries could be either good or evil creatures, and at various points in history have been confused with witches and demons

Fay or fey is the archaic term for faerie meaning bewitched or enchanted. This word came from 'Fays' meaning Fates, and thought to be a broken form of Fatae. 'Fay-erie' was first a state of enchantment or glamour, and only was it used for the fays that wielded those powers of illusion. The state of enchantment is fayerie, which later became fairy and faerie.

Fair Folk is a welsh name, often used in literature and in Scandinavian myths.

Good Neighbors is from Scotland. It had its origin in a desire to give no offense. The `folk' might be listening, and were pleased when people spoke well of them, and angry when spoken of bad of. The same feeling made the Irish Celt call them “honest folk” or “good people.”

The Green Children was used in medieval literature and versions of it is often used in modern Fairy Tales. This theme has many alterations like Greenies, Greencoaties and others.

The Old People refers as to Faeries who lived on earth long before Mankind.

The Silent People comes from the Irish and Scottish Gaelic, the sith people. The name sith refers to “peace” or silence of Airy motion. The Fairies come and go with noiseless steps, and their thefts or abductions are done silently and unawares to men.

 Elf (Elves) also means faerie and derived from the word alfar from the Nordic and Teutonic languages that are associated with mountains and water. This clearly illustrates the close relationship between faeries and the earth.