dwarf

I. noun (plural dwarfs; also dwarves) Usage: often attributive Etymology: Middle English dwerg, dwerf, from Old English dweorg, dweorh; akin to Old High German twerg dwarf Date: before 12th century 1. a. a person of unusually small stature; especially one whose bodily proportions are abnormal b. an insignificant person <

a literary dwarf

> 2. an animal or plant much below normal size 3. a small legendary manlike being who is usually misshapen and ugly and skilled as a craftsman 4. a star (as the sun) of ordinary or low luminosity and relatively small mass and size • dwarfish adjective • dwarfishly adverb • dwarfishness noun • dwarflike adjective • dwarfness noun II. verb Date: circa 1626 transitive verb 1. to restrict the growth of ; stunt 2. to cause to appear smaller or to seem inferior <

has dwarfed the achievements of her predecessors

> intransitive verb to become smaller III. adjective Date: 1597 of a plant low-growing in habit <

dwarfer forms of citrus

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