nanism

N1A1N1I1S1M3

noun

Unusually small size, as the result of a developmental abnormality.

Similar
dwarfismmicrosomia
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Meanings

nounnanism (countable and uncountable, plural nanisms)

plural nanisms

  1. countableuncountablebiologyUnusually small size, as the result of a developmental abnormality.

    In this gene, other mutations can cause a kind of nanism that is lethal during the first weeks of life.

    2006 April, Henri Friedhofer et al., “Surgical treatment for eyelid deformity in Crouzon syndrome associated with acanthosis nigricans: case report”, in Clinics

    Synonyms: dwarfism, microsomia

Synonyms & antonyms

nounUnusually small size, as the result of a developmental abnormality.

Similar
dwarfismmicrosomia

More synonyms by meaning

nouna genetic abnormality resulting in short stature

Similar
dwarfism
Broader
genetic diseasegenetic disordergenetic abnormality
Also see
dwarfism

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

From nano- + -ism.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Finnish nanismi
  • nanismidevelopmental abnormality manifested as unusually small size

Rhymes & wordplay

Anagrams

Sanmin
Cite this entry
APA

nanism. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/nanism

MLA

“nanism.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/nanism. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “nanism,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/nanism.

Source: nanism on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.