gnome

1
[ nohm ]
See synonyms for gnome on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. (in folklore) one of a species of diminutive beings, usually described as shriveled little old men, that inhabit the interior of the earth and act as guardians of its treasures; troll.

  2. an expert in monetary or financial affairs; international banker or financier: the gnomes of Zurich.

Origin of gnome

1
1705–15; from French from New Latin gnomus, perhaps from Greek gnṓmē; see gnome2

synonym study For gnome

1. See goblin, sylph.

Other words from gnome

  • gnomish, adjective

Words Nearby gnome

Other definitions for gnome (2 of 2)

gnome2
[ nohm, noh-mee ]

noun
  1. a short, pithy expression of a general truth; aphorism.

Origin of gnome

2
First recorded in 1570–80, gnome is from the Greek word gnṓmē judgment, opinion, purpose

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use gnome in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for gnome (1 of 2)

gnome1

/ (nəʊm) /


noun
  1. one of a species of legendary creatures, usually resembling small misshapen old men, said to live in the depths of the earth and guard buried treasure

  2. the statue of a gnome, esp in a garden

  1. a very small or ugly person

  2. facetious, or derogatory an international banker or financier (esp in the phrase gnomes of Zürich)

Origin of gnome

1
C18: from French, from New Latin gnomus, coined by Paracelsus, of obscure origin

Derived forms of gnome

  • gnomish, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for gnome (2 of 2)

gnome2

/ (nəʊm) /


noun
  1. a short pithy saying or maxim expressing a general truth or principle

Origin of gnome

2
C16: from Greek gnōmē, from gignōskein to know

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012