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Webster 1913 Edition
Pygmy
Pyg′my
,Noun.
pl.
Pygmies
(#)
. [L.
pygmaeus
, Gr. [GREEK], fr. [GREEK] the fist, a measure of length, the distance from the elbow to the knuckles, about 131 inches. Cf. Pugnacious
, Fist
.] [Written also
pigmy
.] 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.
Pygmies
are pygmies
still, though perched on Alps.And pyramids are pyramids in vales.
Young.
Webster 1828 Edition
Pygmy
PYG'MY
,Noun.
A dwarf; a person not exceeding a cubit in highth. This appellation was given by the ancients to a fabulous race of beings inhabiting Thrace, who waged war with the cranes and were destroyed.
Definition 2024
pygmy
pygmy
English
Alternative forms
Noun
pygmy (plural pygmies)
- (often capitalized, usually in the plural: Pygmies) A member of one of various Ancient Equatorial African tribal peoples, notable for their very short stature
- The Bantu immigration drove many Pygmy tribes into the darkest jungle, while other Pygmies were reduced to cohabitation in a subservient status
- (Greek mythology) A member of a race of dwarfs
- Homer and Herodote mentioned Pygmies in India (which would fit the Andamanese Negritoes) or Ethiopia (then meaning all Subsaharan Africa)
- (figuratively) Any dwarfish person
- Everyone looked like Pygmies whenever giant Joe joined his classmates
- (figuratively) An insignificant person, at least in some respect
- Despite his towering stature, the minister proved a political pygmy
Synonyms
Antonyms
Derived terms
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Related terms
Translations
a member of various African peoples
a member of a mythological race of dwarfs
any dwarfish person
an insignificant person
Adjective
pygmy (comparative more pygmy, superlative most pygmy)
- Relating or belonging to the Pygmy people
- Like a pygmy; unusually short or small for its kind
- Soil exhaustion ultimately produces a pygmy crop at best
Synonyms
- pygmyish
- dwarfish