dwarfism
(ˈdwɔːfɪz(ə)m)
[f. dwarf n. + -ism.]
The condition or character of being a dwarf or considerably undersized.
| 1891 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 5 Dec. 1187/2 When found as a racial feature dwarfism appears to be propagated indefinitely. 1919 Nature 3 Nov. 304/1 One of these forms of dwarfism is known to medical men as achondroplasia, because the growth of cartilage is particularly affected. 1934 [see achondroplasia]. 1958 Times 1 July (Agric. Suppl.) p. vi/3 The genetics of dwarfism, over-simplified in the beginning, are now being studied thoroughly. The only present advice on how to avoid it is to breed for size. 1962 R. H. Smythe Anat. Dog Breeding 19 Toy Pomeranians are examples of true dwarfism. |