E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Sylphs,
according to Middle Age belief, are the elemental spirits of air; so named by the Rosicrucians and Cabalists, from the Greek silph (a butterfly or moth). (See GNOMES.)
1
Sylphs. Any mortal who has preserved inviolate chastity may enjoy intimate familiarity with these gentle spirits. All coquettes at death become sylphs, “and sport and flutter in the fields of air.”
(a butterfly or moth). (See G
