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dwarf

/dwɔːf/

noun

Meaning

  • Any member of a race of beings from (especially Scandinavian and other Germanic) folklore, usually depicted as having some sort of supernatural powers and being skilled in crafting and metalworking, often as short with long beards, and sometimes as clashing with elves.

  • A person of short stature, often one whose limbs are disproportionately small in relation to the body as compared with normal adults, usually as the result of a genetic condition.

  • An animal, plant or other thing much smaller than the usual of its sort.

    "dwarf honeysuckle"

  • A star of relatively small size.

Synonyms

midget,
pygmy (imprecise),
runt

verb

Meaning

  • To render (much) smaller, turn into a dwarf (version).

  • To make appear (much) smaller, puny, tiny.

    "The newly-built skyscraper dwarfs all older buildings in the downtown skyline."

  • To make appear insignificant.

    "Bach dwarfs all other composers."

  • To become (much) smaller.

  • To hinder from growing to the natural size; to make or keep small; to stunt.

Synonyms

eclipse,
outdo,
outmatch,
outshadow,
outshine,
outstrip,
overshadow,
put to shame,
surpass,
upstage,
miniaturize,
shrink,
shrink

adjective

Meaning

  • Miniature.

    "It is possible to grow the plants as dwarf as one desires."