gnome

Meaning

Noun

• A brief reflection or maxim; a pithy saying.
• An elemental (spirit or corporeal creature associated with a classical element) associated with earth.
• 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 even smaller than dwarves and more focussed on engineering than mining.
• A dwarf; a goblin; a person of small stature or misshapen features, or of strange appearance.
• The northern pygmy owl, Glaucidium gnoma (species), a small owl of the western United States.
• A small statue of a dwarf-like character, often bearded, placed in a garden.
• An upper atmospheric optical phenomenon associated with thunderstorms, a compact blue starter.
• A banker, especially a secretive international one.

Origin

• From Ancient Greek γνώμη ("thought, opinion"), from the base of γιγνώσκειν.
• From French gnome, from New Latin gnomus, used by Paracelsus as a synonym for pygmaeus.