Definition of dwarf

The origin of the word "dwarf" can be traced back to Old English, where it was spelled as "worthyfa" or "werfa." The exact meaning of these terms is debated by linguists, but it's believed that they referred to people who were of short stature due to aging or medical conditions. The word "dwarf" evolved through Middle English, where it was spelled as "dwerge" or "dworgh." This form of the word was derived from the Old Norse "dvergr," which also meant a short person. The term "dwarf" became widely used during the Middle Ages as a result of the popularity of Norse mythology. In these stories, dwarves were depicted as small, bearded beings who lived in underground caverns and possessed great skill in craftsmanship. They were often depicted as helpers to the gods and played significant roles in the development of certain objects, such as Thor's hammer and the ring that would ultimately bring about the downfall of the gods. The modern interpretation of the word "dwarf" still retains the meaning of a person who is short in stature, with the bulk of its usage focused on medical applications. The term "dwarfism" is now commonly used to describe a group of inherited conditions that result in short stature, and "dwarf" is generally considered a medical diagnosis instead of a colloquial term. Overall, the origin of the word "dwarf" highlights the evolution of how societies view and categorize people based on their physical attributes, from antiquated medical definitions to literary archetypes and modern medical diagnoses.