Gnome (?), n. [F. gnome, prob. fr. Gr. gnwmon one that knows, a guardian, i. e., of the treasures in the inner parts of the earth, or fr. &unr_; intelligence, both fr. gnw^nai, gignw^skein, to know. See Know.] 1. An imaginary being, supposed by the Rosicrucians to inhabit the inner parts of the earth, and to be the guardian of mines, quarries, etc.
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2. A dwarf; a goblin; a person of small stature or misshapen features, or of strange appearance.
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3. (Zoöl.) A small owl (Glaucidium gnoma) of the Western United States.
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4. [Gr. &unr_;.] A brief reflection or maxim. Peacham.