gnome /nəʊm $ noʊm/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Date: 1600-1700 ; Language: French ; Origin: Modern Latin gnomus ]
1 . a creature in children’s stories who looks like a little old man. Gnomes have pointed hats, live under the ground, and guard gold, jewels etc.
2 . a stone or plastic figure representing one of these creatures:
a garden gnome