Kobold
/ˈkoʊ.boʊld/noun
A kobold is a Germanic household or mine sprite, later imagined as a goblin or imp.
Did you know?The word was used in medieval German for both domestic spirits and mine-dwelling beings, and it later became the source of the chemical name cobalt because miners blamed the troublesome ore on a kobold-like spirit.
Etymological Timeline
Middle High German
MHG
kobolt
“A household spirit, goblin, or mine demon”
Late Medieval German
German
kobold
“An imp, goblin, or mischievous spirit”
16th Century
German
Kobold
“A troublesome mine spirit blamed for bad ore”
16th Century
Latin
cobaltum
“A mineral name derived from the troublesome kobold spirit”
Modern English
English
kobold
“A goblin-like sprite, especially in German folklore”