dwarf
Use Dwarf in a sentence
noun
1.
a person of abnormally small stature owing to a pathological condition, especially one suffering from cretinism or some other disease that produces disproportion or deformation of features and limbs.
2.
an animal or plant much smaller than the average of its kind or species.
3.
(in folklore) a being in the form of a small, often misshapen and ugly, man, usually having magic powers.
4.
Astronomy, dwarf star.
adjective
5.
of unusually small stature or size; diminutive.
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Dwarf
is always a great word to know.
So is Taurus. Does it mean:
| a zodiacal constellation between Gemini and Aries, containing the bright star Aldebaran also called the Bull |
| the boundary around a black hole on and within which no matter or radiation can escape |
verb (used with object)
6.
to cause to appear or seem small in size, extent, character, etc., as by being much larger or better: He dwarfed all his rivals in athletic ability.
7.
to make dwarf or dwarfish; prevent the due development of.
verb (used without object)
8.
to become stunted or smaller.
Origin:
before 900; Middle English dwerf, Old English dweorh; replacing Middle English dwerg, Old English dweorg; cognate with Old High German twerg, Old Norse dvergr
before 900; Middle English dwerf, Old English dweorh; replacing Middle English dwerg, Old English dweorg; cognate with Old High German twerg, Old Norse dvergr
Related forms
dwarf·like, adjective
dwarf·ness, noun
un·dwarfed, adjective
Synonyms
1. Dwarf, midget, pygmy are terms for a very small person. A dwarf is someone checked in growth or stunted, or in some way not normally formed. A midget (not in technical use) is someone perfect in form and normal in function, but diminutive. A pygmy is properly a member of one of certain small-sized peoples of Africa and Asia, but the word is often used imprecisely to mean dwarf or midget. Dwarf is a term often used to describe very small plants. Pygmy is used to describe very small animals. 2. runt, miniature.
1. Dwarf, midget, pygmy are terms for a very small person. A dwarf is someone checked in growth or stunted, or in some way not normally formed. A midget (not in technical use) is someone perfect in form and normal in function, but diminutive. A pygmy is properly a member of one of certain small-sized peoples of Africa and Asia, but the word is often used imprecisely to mean dwarf or midget. Dwarf is a term often used to describe very small plants. Pygmy is used to describe very small animals. 2. runt, miniature.
Antonyms
1, 5. giant.
1, 5. giant.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To dwarf
Collins
World English Dictionary
dwarf (dwɔːf) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n , pl dwarfs, dwarves | |
| 1. | Compare midget an abnormally undersized person, esp one with a large head and short arms and legs |
| 2. | a. an animal or plant much below the average height for the species |
| b. (as modifier): a dwarf tree | |
| 3. | (in folklore) a small ugly manlike creature, often possessing magical powers |
| 4. | astronomy short for dwarf star |
| —vb | |
| 5. | to become or cause to become comparatively small in size, importance, etc |
| 6. | (tr) to stunt the growth of |
| [Old English dweorg; related to Old Norse dvergr, Old High German twerc] | |
| 'dwarfish | |
| —adj | |
| 'dwarfishly | |
| —adv | |
| 'dwarfishness | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
dwarf
O.E. dweorh, from P.Gmc. *dweraz, from PIE *dhwergwhos "something tiny." The mythological sense is from Ger., 1770. The verb meaning "to render dwarfish" is from 1620s; that of "to cause to look small" is from 1850. Related: Dwarfed; dwarfing. The shift of the O.E. guttural at the end of the word to
modern -f is typical (cf. enough, draft). O.E. plural dweorgas became M.E. dwarrows, later leveled down to dwarfs. The use of dwarves for the legendary race was popularized by J.R.R. Tolkien.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary
dwarf (dwôrf)
n. pl. dwarfs or dwarves (dwôrvz)
An abnormally small person, often having limbs and features not properly proportioned or formed.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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American Heritage
Science Dictionary
dwarf (dwôrf) Pronunciation Key
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Easton
Bible Dictionary
Dwarf definition
a lean or emaciated person (Lev. 21:20).
Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary
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Nearby Words
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