n. A spirit, lower than the angels, who could appear in animal or human form and influence men
The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
n. In Mohammedan myth., a class of spirits lower than the angels, made of fire, capable of appearing in both human and animal forms, and exercising supernatural influence over mankind, for both good and evil.
n.Synonyms Elf, Gnome, etc. See fairy.
Word Usage
"An extension of this electric description of jinn is that they are not beings at all but thoughts that were in the world before the existence of man."