DWARF (dwarves)

Pronunciation (US):

• DWARF (noun)
  The noun DWARF has 2 senses:

1. a person who is markedly small
2. a legendary creature resembling a tiny old man; lives in the depths of the earth and guards buried treasure

  Familiarity information: DWARF used as a noun is rare.

• DWARF (verb)
  The verb DWARF has 2 senses:

1. make appear small by comparison
2. check the growth of

  Familiarity information: DWARF used as a verb is rare.

• DWARF (noun)

Meaning:

A person who is markedly small

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Synonyms:

dwarf; midget; nanus

Hypernyms ("dwarf" is a kind of...):

small person (a person of below average size)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "dwarf"):

hypoplastic dwarf; normal dwarf; primordial dwarf; true dwarf (a dwarf whose small size is the result of a genetic defect in response to growth hormone; body parts and mental and sexual development are normal)

Meaning:

A legendary creature resembling a tiny old man; lives in the depths of the earth and guards buried treasure

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Synonyms:

gnome; dwarf

Hypernyms ("dwarf" is a kind of...):

faerie; faery; fairy; fay; sprite (a small being, human in form, playful and having magical powers)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "dwarf"):

Nibelung ((German mythology) any of the race of dwarfs who possessed a treasure hoard that was stolen by Siegfried)

Andvari ((Norse mythology) a dwarf who possessed a treasure that was stolen by Loki)

• DWARF (verb)

Meaning:

Make appear small by comparison

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Synonyms:

dwarf; overshadow; shadow

Context example:

This year's debt dwarves that of last year

Hypernyms (to "dwarf" is one way to...):

command; dominate; overlook; overtop (look down on)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s something

Meaning:

Check the growth of

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Context example:

the lack of sunlight dwarfed these pines

Hypernyms (to "dwarf" is one way to...):

stunt (check the growth or development of)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s something