Definition of: Rumpelstiltskin

(rum′pəl·stilt′skin, Ger. rm′pəl·shtilts′kin)
In German folklore, a dwarf who saves the life of a girl who has married a king, by spinning for her the fabulous quantity of flax her mother has boasted that she can spin. In return for this, the dwarf demands her first child. When it is born the distressed mother begs to be released from her promise. The dwarf consents if she can guess his name within three days. She does so at the crucial moment and Rumpelstiltskin's power is broken. Also Rum·pel·stiltz·chen (rm′pəl·shtilts′khən).