dwarf
noun /dwɔːf/
/dwɔːrf/
(plural dwarfs, dwarves
/dwɔːvz/
/dwɔːrvz/
)- (in stories) a creature like a small man, who has magic powers and who is usually described as living and working under the ground, especially working with metal
- (sometimes offensive) an extremely small person who will never grow to a normal size because of a physical problem; a person suffering from dwarfism The terms dwarf and dwarfs (but not dwarves) are still used and acceptable in this context. However, some people prefer the terms little person or person of short stature. see also brown dwarf, red dwarf, white dwarf
Word OriginOld English dweorg, dweorh, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch dwerg and German Zwerg.