Where does “elf” come from?

elf (Middle Dutch) comes from Old Dutch ellef, from Proto-Germanic ainalif, from Proto-Germanic -lif, from Proto-Indo-European leyp-, from Proto-Indo-European lēy- — to leave, let; to want, desire; to let; leave...

Ancestry of “elf”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Old Dutchellef—
2Proto-Germanicainalifeleven
3Proto-Germanic-lifleft over
4Proto-Indo-Europeanleyp-to stick; fat or sticky substance
5Proto-Indo-Europeanlēy-to leave, let; to want, desire; to let; leave...
Every word from Proto-Indo-European lēy- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European leyp- →Every word from Proto-Germanic -lif →