[syn: Pygmy, Pigmy]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Pigmy \Pig"my\, n.
See Pygmy.
[1913 Webster]
Pigmy falcon. (Zool.) Same as Falconet, 2
(a) .
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Pygmy \Pyg"my\, n.; pl. Pygmies. [L. pygmaeus, Gr. ?, fr. ?
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.
[1913 Webster]
2. Hence, a short, insignificant person; a dwarf.
[1913 Webster]
3. One of a race of Central African Negritos found chiefly in
the great forests of the equatorial belt. They are the
shortest of known races, the adults ranging from less than
four to about five feet in stature. They are timid and
shy, dwelling in the recesses of the forests, though often
on good terms with neighboring Negroes.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]
Pygmies are pygmies still, though perched on Alps.
And pyramids are pyramids in vales. --Young.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
pigmy
n 1: an unusually small individual [syn: pygmy, pigmy]
2: any member of various peoples having an average height of
less than five feet [syn: Pygmy, Pigmy]
The Devil's Dictionary (1881-1906):
PIGMY, n. One of a tribe of very small men found by ancient travelers
in many parts of the world, but by modern in Central Africa only. The
Pigmies are so called to distinguish them from the bulkier Caucasians
-- who are Hogmies.