gnome
/ˈnoʊ̯m/
Frequency: 3.20 in modern English
Meaning
noun
An elemental (spirit or corporeal creature associated with a classical element) associated with earth.
noun
One of a race of imaginary human-like beings, usually depicted as short and typically bearded males, who inhabit the inner parts of the earth and act as guardians of mines, mineral treasure, etc.; in modern fantasy literature and games, when distinguished from dwarves, gnomes are usually smaller than dwarves and more focused on engineering than mining.
noun
A person of a small stature or misshapen features, or of a strange appearance.
Derogatory; Informal
noun
An upper atmospheric optical phenomenon associated with thunderstorms, a compact blue starter.
noun
A brief reflection or maxim; a pithy saying.
Example Sentences
- "He adopts the Rosycrusian fancy of Gnomes, spirits which inhabit the earth, and who by their power form the ores of metals, and all the wonders met with in the inmost recesses of the globe."
- "Day belongs to the earthlier deities—the stern, the harsh, and the cold. Gnomes are the spirits of daily hours. Toil, thought, and strife, beset us: we have to work, to quarrel, and to struggle: we have to take our neighbours in; or, at least, to avoid their doing so by us."
- "Gnomes are perhaps the most useful of the elementals. A gnome can carry a person with it as it swims through the soil, provided it is strong enough to lift the person. The gnome cannot, however, provide air for that person[…]."
- "Elementals are the consciousness guiding the four classical elements of earth, fire, air, and water. These elementals are depicted as gnomes, salamanders, diminutive faeries known as sylphs, and merfolk, known as undines, respectively."
- "When the trees were disposed of, the gnomes vanished again."
- "There were not one but four gnomes standing at his feet. “I nearly trod on you,” Daniel said. “What are you doing here?” The gnomes just stood, looking up at him."
Etymology
Origin
- Source language: French
Word Breakdown
- Root: gnome, gnomus, *ǵneh₃-, γνώμη
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈnoʊ̯m/
- British English: /ˈnəʊ̯m/