dwarf \'dwo(a)rf\ n, pl dwarfs \'dwo(a)rfs\ or dwarves \'dwo(a)rvz\ often attrib [ME dwerg, dwerf, fr. OE dweorg, dweorh; akin to OHG twerg dwarf] 1 :a person of unusually small stature; esp : one whose bodily proportions are abnormal 2 : an animal or plant much below normal size3 : a legendary manlike being who is usu. misshapen and ugly and skilled as an artificer 4 : a star (as the sun) of ordinary or low luminosity and relatively small mass and size - dwarf�ish \'dwor-fish\ adj - dwarf�ish�ly adv - dwarf�ish�ness n - dwarf�like \'dwor-,flik\ adj - dwarf�ness \'dworf-nes\ n