gnome 1 
(nōm)
(nōm)n.
1. One of a fabled race of dwarflike creatures who live underground and guard treasure hoards.
2. In the occult philosophy of Paracelsus, a being that has earth as its element.
[French, from New Latin gnomus, earth elemental in the occult philosophy of Paracelsus, of unknown origin.]
gnomish adj.