Dwarfs

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Dwarf \Dwarf\, n.; pl. {Dwarfs}. [OE. dwergh, dwerf, dwarf, AS.
     dweorg, dweorh; akin to D. dwerg, MHG. twerc, G. zwerg, Icel.
     dvergr, Sw. & Dan. dverg; of unknown origin.]
     1. An animal or plant which is much below the ordinary size
        of its species or kind.
        [1913 Webster]


  
     2. Especially: A diminutive human being, small in stature due
        to a pathological condition which causes a distortion of
        the proportions of body parts to each other, such as the
        limbs, torso, and head. A person of unusually small height
        who has normal body proportions is usually called a
        {midget}.
        [PJC]
  
     Note: During the Middle Ages dwarfs as well as fools shared
           the favor of courts and the nobility.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     3. (Folklore) A small, usually misshapen person, typically a
        man, who may have magical powers; mythical dwarves were
        often depicted as living underground in caves.
        [PJC]
  
     Note: Dwarf is used adjectively in reference to anything much
           below the usual or normal size; as, a dwarf pear tree;
           dwarf honeysuckle.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     {Dwarf elder} (Bot.), danewort.
  
     {Dwarf wall} (Arch.), a low wall, not as high as the story of
        a building, often used as a garden wall or fence. --Gwilt.
        [1913 Webster]