a group of related race races of sentient beings which developed from the Ehlnofey
a member of one of the one of the elven races (though exceptions such as the Ayleids and Bretons exist)
In the ancient Aldmeri language, mer means person/us/folk, and isn't unlike the way humans use the word man, with speakers of the Imperial tongue substituting the word 'elf' for mer, especially in adjective form as elven sounds better than the correct 'meri' form. Most mer accept 'elf' though they usually refer to each other as mer. Mer can be used as a singular and a plural. When used in combination with other Aldmeri words, it simply means 'a type of people' i.e. the Bosmer being wood people.
Geerally, the mer believe themselves to be the direct descendant of the Aedra (Aedra literally meaning our ancestors) who had been tricked by Lorkhan into giving up their divinity to create the world. No elves consider mortality to be a 'gift' the way humans do, so opinions differ from race to race, with some lamenting the loss of their birthright with others considering it a test of character.
The first mer came from the continent of Aldmeris, arriving on Tamriel from the southwest during the Middle Merethic Era. Since the Mythic Era, they've diverged and diversified significantly from the original proto-race over thousands of years.
The Aldmer, First Ones, were the ancestral race, the direct descendants of the Ehlnofey (besides the Hist, the only ancient race of Nirn to survive its early days) and modern scholars believe that all of the Ehlnofey became the Aldmer while those on the other three continents became men (Nords, Redguard, and Tsaesci).
At the time of recorded history, the Aldmer had diverged. The Altmer are closest to them in looks and behaviour. Daedric Princes have sometimes interfered in Aldmeri life to create others notably Dunmer and Orsimer. Imperial speakers, unaware of history, will sometimes use the temr to refer to all elves which is incorrect.
Mer/Aldmer
In the ancient Aldmeri language, mer means person/us/folk, and isn't unlike the way humans use the word man, with speakers of the Imperial tongue substituting the word 'elf' for mer, especially in adjective form as elven sounds better than the correct 'meri' form. Most mer accept 'elf' though they usually refer to each other as mer. Mer can be used as a singular and a plural. When used in combination with other Aldmeri words, it simply means 'a type of people' i.e. the Bosmer being wood people.
Geerally, the mer believe themselves to be the direct descendant of the Aedra (Aedra literally meaning our ancestors) who had been tricked by Lorkhan into giving up their divinity to create the world. No elves consider mortality to be a 'gift' the way humans do, so opinions differ from race to race, with some lamenting the loss of their birthright with others considering it a test of character.
The first mer came from the continent of Aldmeris, arriving on Tamriel from the southwest during the Middle Merethic Era. Since the Mythic Era, they've diverged and diversified significantly from the original proto-race over thousands of years.
The Aldmer, First Ones, were the ancestral race, the direct descendants of the Ehlnofey (besides the Hist, the only ancient race of Nirn to survive its early days) and modern scholars believe that all of the Ehlnofey became the Aldmer while those on the other three continents became men (Nords, Redguard, and Tsaesci).
At the time of recorded history, the Aldmer had diverged. The Altmer are closest to them in looks and behaviour. Daedric Princes have sometimes interfered in Aldmeri life to create others notably Dunmer and Orsimer. Imperial speakers, unaware of history, will sometimes use the temr to refer to all elves which is incorrect.