noun
elf; pixie; sprite; small fairy
Refers to small mythical beings like elves, pixies, sprites, brownies, imps, or gremlins. Often used in fantasy contexts. The cross-reference to エルフ suggests a close relationship, but 小妖精 is more generic and can include various small fairies.
See also: エルフ
その森には小妖精が住んでいると言われている。
It is said that small fairies live in that forest.
彼女は小妖精のようなかわいらしい姿をしていた。
She had a cute appearance like a pixie.
妖精 is the general term for 'fairy' or 'spirit', not necessarily small. 小妖精 explicitly adds the nuance of being small.
Compound of 小 (small) and 妖精 (fairy, spirit). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word likely arose as a descriptive term for small mythical beings.