nános

Nános is a term rooted in Greek that can refer to several related concepts linked by the idea of smallness. It derives from the Ancient Greek νάνος (nános), meaning “dwarf” or “small person.” In Modern Greek, nanos is used as the ordinary noun for a dwarf and appears in literary, mythological, and descriptive contexts.

In linguistic and scientific usage, the root gives rise to the prefix nano-, used internationally in science and engineering to denote extremely small scales, such as one billionth of a unit. This prefix underpins fields like nanotechnology, nanomaterials, and nanophysics, where structures on the nanoscale are studied and engineered.

As a proper name, nános occurs in Greek-speaking communities as a given name or surname. It can also appear in toponyms or as part of compound place names in Greece and among the Greek diaspora. In transliteration, the accented form nános reflects stress placement in Greek spelling, though English usage often drops the accent.

Because of its Greek origin and broad semantic reach, nános may be encountered in literary works, cultural discussions, and technical texts, sometimes appearing in contexts that emphasize smallness, dwarfs, or diminutive scales. The term is therefore best understood as a cross-domain root that connects language, identity, and science.

See also: nano- (prefix)