(pl. dwarfs 或dwarves /dwɔːvz/)
1
- (in folklore or fantasy literature) a member of a mythical race of short, stocky human-like creatures who are generally skilled in mining and metalworking（民间传说或神话中通常善于开矿和金属加工的与人相似的）丑矮人。
1.1
- an abnormally small person矮子, 侏儒。
1.2
- as modifier denoting something, especially an animal or plant, which is much smaller than the usual size for its type or species（尤指动、植物）矮生的：
a dwarf conifer.
矮生针叶树
2
- （亦作dwarf star）Astronomy a star of relatively small size and low luminosity, including the majority of main sequence stars【天文】矮星。
with obj.
1- cause to seem small or insignificant in comparison（对比之下）使显得矮小, 使相形见绌：
the buildings surround and dwarf All Saints church.
这些建筑物包围着诸圣教堂并使其显得非常矮小。
1.1
- stunt the growth or development of阻碍…的生长（或发育）：
as adj. dwarfed the dwarfed but solid branch of a tree.生长受阻但依然结实的树枝。
USAGE
In the sense 'an abnormally small person', dwarf is normally considered offensive. However, there are no accepted alternatives in the general language, since terms such as person of restricted growth have gained little currency.
派生词
dwarfish
adjective词源
Old English dweorg, dweorh, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch dwerg and German Zwerg.