Sprite

/spraɪt/ noun

Definition

A fairy, elf, or supernatural spirit; a slender or lively person; also a brand name for a lemon-lime soda.

Etymology

From Old French 'esprit,' derived from Latin 'spiritus' meaning 'breath' or 'spirit.' The word evolved from religious contexts to describe mischievous woodland creatures in literature.

Kelly Says

The same word for a fairy ('sprite') is used in programming—'sprites' are small moving graphics in video games. This shows how gaming borrowed visual terms from mythology because sprites do the same thing: quick, magical movements.

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