◙ (pl. dwarfs 或 dwarves ) 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 • （民间传说或神话中一般善于开矿、金属加工与人相似的）侏儒 an abnormally small person • 矮子，侏儒 [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. 矮针叶树。 2. (也作 dwarf star)[Astronomy] a star of relatively small size and low luminosity, including the majority of main sequence stars • [天文] 矮星，主序星 ◙ verb 1. [with obj.] cause to seem small or insignificant in comparison • 使相比之下显得矮小，使相形见绌 »the buildings surround and dwarf All Saints church. 在这些建筑物围绕下诸圣教堂显得很矮。 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. 生长受阻但却结实的树枝。
【派生】
♦ dwarfish adjective
【语源】
1. Old English dweorg, dweorh, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch dwerg and German Zwerg
【用法】
1. 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