[dwarf] n, pl dwarfs also dwarves often attrib [ME dwerg, dwerf, fr. OE dweorg, dweorh; akin to OHG twerg dwarf] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a person of unusually small stature; esp: one whose bodily proportions are abnormal b: an insignificant person
2: an animal or plant much below normal size
3: a small legendary manlike being who is usu. misshapen and ugly and skilled as an artificer
4: a star (as the sun) of ordinary or low luminosity and relatively small mass and size -- dwarf.ish adj -- dwarf.ish.ly adv -- dwarf.ish.ness n -- dwarf.like adj -- dwarf.ness n
[2]dwarf vt (ca. 1626) 1: to restrict the growth of: stunt
2: to cause to appear smaller or to seem inferior ~ vi: to become smaller [3]dwarf adj (1664) of a plant: low-growing in habit "~er forms of citrus"