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View synonyms for gnome

gnome

1

[ nohm ]

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.



gnome

2

[ nohm, noh-mee ]

noun

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

gnome

1

/ nəʊm /

noun

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


gnome

2

/ 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
  3. a very small or ugly person
  4. facetious.
    an international banker or financier (esp in the phrase gnomes of Zürich )
“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
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Derived Forms

  • ˈgnomish, adjective
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Other Words From

  • gnomish adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of gnome1

1705–15; from French from New Latin gnomus, perhaps from Greek gnṓmē; gnome 2

Origin of gnome2

First recorded in 1570–80, gnome is from the Greek word gnṓmē judgment, opinion, purpose
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Word History and Origins

Origin of gnome1

C16: from Greek gnōmē, from gignōskein to know

Origin of gnome2

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

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Example Sentences

In Stowe, Vermont, the Spruce Peak Outfitters sets up a wintertime scavenger hunt in the forest for kids, asking them to search for gnomes and other unnaturally placed items.

A garden gnome guards the compost pile, herding worms to do their job.

The autognomes also appeared, which are a race of robotic gnomes that were created by the tinker gnomes of Krynn.

You can still have flowers and plants in your home and, with Board approval, a planter or a gnome on your balcony.

Edmonson says he got dinky plastic cones, while Hopper says she received a wooden gnome that was “the ugliest thing I’ve ever seen.”

From Time

Strong: Was the gnome in Project X based on our experience taking a gnome across Europe?

Of a sudden I seemed to hear the old gnome croaking, "Now that story sounds to me kind of—"

The Gnome rotary engine was first used with success at this meeting.

He must keep his hands clenched in his pockets lest he soils them in striking down the blood-stained gnome before him.

In the Gnome rotary engine the lightness is entirely due to the initial design and to the materials employed in manufacture.

On the other side of the fire, reclining upon his elbow, the gnome Kilo is poking the coals with a stick.

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