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Origin of dwarf

First recorded before 900; Middle English dwerf, Old English dweorh; replacing Middle English dwerg, Old English dweorg; cognate with Old High German twerg, Old Norse dvergr

usage note for dwarf

1. Is it OK to say dwarf? See midget.

OTHER WORDS FROM dwarf

dwarf·like, adjectivedwarf·ness, nounun·dwarfed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use dwarf in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for dwarf

dwarf
/ (dwɔːf) /

noun plural dwarfs or dwarves (dwɔːvz)
an abnormally undersized person, esp one with a large head and short arms and legsCompare midget
  1. an animal or plant much below the average height for the species
  2. (as modifier)a dwarf tree
(in folklore) a small ugly manlike creature, often possessing magical powers
astronomy short for dwarf star
verb
to become or cause to become comparatively small in size, importance, etc
(tr) to stunt the growth of

Derived forms of dwarf

dwarfish, adjectivedwarfishly, adverbdwarfishness, noun

Word Origin for dwarf

Old English dweorg; related to Old Norse dvergr, Old High German twerc
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

Scientific definitions for dwarf

dwarf
[ dwôrf ]

An abnormally small person, often having limbs and features atypically proportioned or formed.
An atypically small animal or plant.
A dwarf star or dwarf galaxy.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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