gnome
1
[ nohm ]
/ noʊm /
noun
(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.
an expert in monetary or financial affairs; international banker or financier: the gnomes of Zurich.
Origin of gnome
1OTHER WORDS FROM gnome
gnom·ish, adjectiveWords nearby gnome
Definition for gnome (2 of 2)
gnome
2
[ nohm, noh-mee ]
/ noʊm, ˈnoʊ mi /
noun
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
Example sentences from the Web for gnome
British Dictionary definitions for gnome (1 of 2)
gnome
1
/ (nəʊm) /
noun
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
the statue of a gnome, esp in a garden
a very small or ugly person
facetious, or derogatory
an international banker or financier (esp in the phrase gnomes of Zürich)
Derived forms of gnome
gnomish, adjectiveWord Origin for gnome
C18: from French, from New Latin
gnomus, coined by Paracelsus, of obscure origin
British Dictionary definitions for gnome (2 of 2)
gnome
2
/ (nəʊm) /
noun
a short pithy saying or maxim expressing a general truth or principle
Word Origin for gnome
C16: from Greek
gnōmē, from
gignōskein to know