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dwarfism

American  
[dwawr-fiz-uhm] / ˈdwɔr fɪz əm /

noun

  1. the condition of having abnormally small physical stature resulting from a medical or genetic condition, as achondroplasia or some other disease that produces disproportion or deformation of features and limbs.


dwarfism British  
/ ˈdwɔːfɪzəm /

noun

  1. the condition of being a dwarf

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

dwarfism Scientific  
/ dwôrfĭz′əm /
  1. Abnormally short stature, usually caused by a hereditary disorder.


Etymology

Origin of dwarfism

First recorded in 1860–65; dwarf + -ism

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Hundreds of genetic mutations are associated with dwarfism, which causes shorter stature.

From Los Angeles Times

Prof Wilcox said Ms Davis had achondroplasia, a bone growth disorder which results in dwarfism, that was "complicated by spinal cord compression".

From BBC

"There really is nothing wrong casting someone with dwarfism as a dwarf in any given opportunity," he said.

From BBC

The actor, an integral part of many blockbuster franchises, including “Star Wars” and “Harry Potter,” helms Little People UK, which supports people with dwarfism like himself.

From Los Angeles Times

It listed a number of "targeted disabilities": "Hearing, vision, missing extremities, partial paralysis, complete paralysis, epilepsy, severe intellectual disability, psychiatric disability and dwarfism".

From BBC