Etymology

kallikantzaros

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Today it means: A mythical, malevolent goblin-like spirit of Southeastern European and Anatolian folklore. Full definition →

Greek καλλικάντζαρος
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kallikantzaros · noun1

There is some debate about the etymology of this term. Berhand Schmidt conjectures that it is derived from two Turkish words meaning "black" and "werewolf". Paulikianos suggest that it is a euphemistic term combining kalos “handsome”, cf. an Arm. word for demons, mezmé aléknerë “the ones better (or prettier) than us”.

Kallikantzaros · proper noun2

  1. Greek · borrowed fromκαλλικάντζαρος
  2. Greek · borrowed fromκαλλικάντζαρος
  3. English todayKallikantzaros

Borrowed from Greek καλλικάντζαρος (kallikántzaros).

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.