gnidia

[Lat. Gnidius =pertaining to Gnidus or Cnidus, a town of Caria.] Bot.: A genus of Thymelacce (Daphnads). The known species, about fifty in number, are pretty heath-like plants, several of which have been introduced from the warmer parts of Eastern Africa. Gnidium daphnoides is manufactured into ropes in Madagascar; most species of the genus can, moreover, be used in cutaneous diseases. *gnof, *gnoff, s. [Etym. doubtful; perhaps connected with gnaw (q. v.).) A miser; a stingy, mean fellow. "Whilom ther was dwelling in Oxenforde A riche gnof , that gestes belde to borde, And of his craft he was a carpenter." Chaucer: C. Т. , 3,188. gnome (1) (g silent), 8. [Fr.; prob. from Greek gnome = intelligence, from the belief that the gnomes could furnish information as to secret treasures in the earth.] 1. An imaginary being, a kind of sprite. Gnomes were supposed by the Rosicrucians to inhabit the inner parts of the earth, and to be the guardians of mines, quarries, . "The gnomes or dæmons of earth, delight in mischief." -Pope: Ep. Dedic. to Mrs. A. Fermor . 2. A dwarf; a goblin; a person of small or mi hapen figure or features.