dwarfs

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]