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gnome

1
[ nohm ]
/ noʊm /
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noun
(in folklore) one of a species of diminutive beings, usually described as shriveled little old men, that inhabit the interior of the earth and act as guardians of its treasures; troll.
an expert in monetary or financial affairs; international banker or financier: the gnomes of Zurich.
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THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
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In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

Origin of gnome

1
1705–15; from French from New Latin gnomus, perhaps from Greek gnṓmē; see gnome2

synonym study for gnome

1. See goblin, sylph.

OTHER WORDS FROM gnome

gnomish, adjective

Other definitions for gnome (2 of 2)

gnome2
[ nohm, noh-mee ]
/ noʊm, ˈnoʊ mi /

noun
a short, pithy expression of a general truth; aphorism.

Origin of gnome

2
First recorded in 1570–80, gnome is from the Greek word gnṓmē judgment, opinion, purpose
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use gnome in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for gnome (1 of 2)

gnome1
/ (nəʊm) /

noun
one of a species of legendary creatures, usually resembling small misshapen old men, said to live in the depths of the earth and guard buried treasure
the statue of a gnome, esp in a garden
a very small or ugly person
facetious, or derogatory an international banker or financier (esp in the phrase gnomes of Zürich)

Derived forms of gnome

gnomish, adjective

Word Origin for gnome

C18: from French, from New Latin gnomus, coined by Paracelsus, of obscure origin

British Dictionary definitions for gnome (2 of 2)

gnome2
/ (nəʊm) /

noun
a short pithy saying or maxim expressing a general truth or principle

Word Origin for gnome

C16: from Greek gnōmē, from gignōskein to know
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
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