I. ˈdwȯrf noun
( plural dwarfs ˈdwȯrfs ; also dwarves ˈdwȯrvz)
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English dwerg, dwerf, from Old English dweorg, dweorh; akin to Old High German twerg dwarf
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : a person of unusually small stature ; especially : one whose bodily proportions are abnormal
b. : an insignificant person
a literary dwarf
2. : an animal or plant much below normal size
3. : a small legendary manlike being who is usually misshapen and ugly and skilled as a craftsman
4. : a star (as the sun) of ordinary or low luminosity and relatively small mass and size
• dwarf·ish ˈdwȯr-fish adjective
• dwarf·ish·ly adverb
• dwarf·ish·ness noun
• dwarf·like ˈdwȯrf-ˌlīk adjective
• dwarf·ness ˈdwȯrf-nəs noun
II. verb
Date: circa 1626
transitive verb
1. : to restrict the growth of : stunt
2. : to cause to appear smaller or to seem inferior
has dwarf ed the achievements of her predecessors
intransitive verb
: to become smaller
III. adjective
Date: 1597
of a plant : low-growing in habit
dwarf er forms of citrus