pygmy Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an unusually small individual
    pigmy.
  2. noun any member of various peoples having an average height of less than five feet
    Pigmy.

WordNet

Pyg"my, Pyg*me"an adjective (Also<
  • Pygmy
  • Pygmean
)
Etymology
L. pygmaeus. See Pygmy.
Definitions
  1. Of or pertaining to a pygmy; resembling a pygmy or dwarf; dwarfish; very small. " Like that Pygmean race." Milton.
Pyg"my noun
Etymology
L. pygmaeus, Gr. , fr. the fist, a measure of length, the distance from the elbow to the knuckles, about 131 inches. Cf. Pugnacious, Fist.
Wordforms
plural Pygmies
Definitions
  1. (Class. Myth.) One of a fabulous race of dwarfs who waged war with the cranes, and were destroyed.
  2. Hence, a short, insignificant person; a dwarf. 3. one of a race of short forest-dwelling African peoples.
    Pygmies are pygmies still, though perched on Alps. And pyramids are pyramids in vales. Young.

Webster 1913