Kobold
a spirit, differing from the specter in never having been a living human creature. It is the German correspondent of the English goblin, of which it is probably the origin. From it the metal cobalt derives its name. kobold is said to be connected with a house or family, and always to appear in human shape. In the mines they are believed to appear, sometimes in the form of a blue flame, sometimes in that of a dwarfish child, and to point out rich veins.