CHANGELING

Changeling

A changeling is a creature found in folklore and folk religion. It is typically described as being the offspring of a fairy, troll, elf or other legendary creature that has been secretly left in the place of a human child. Sometimes the term is also used to refer to the child who was taken. The apparent changeling could also be a stock or fetch, an enchanted piece of wood that would soon appear to grow sick and die. The theme of the swapped child is common among medieval literature and reflects concern over infants thought to be afflicted with unexplained diseases, disorders, or developmental disabilities.

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changeling

Noun

  1. In British, Irish and Scandinavian mythology, an infant of a fairy, sprite or troll that the creature has secretly exchanged for a human infant.
  2. An infant secretly exchanged with another infant.
  3. An organism which can change shape to mimic others.
  4. A simpleton; an idiot.
  5. One apt to change; a waverer.


The above text is a snippet from Wiktionary: changeling
and as such is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

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