Pygmy

Pronunciation

Origin

From Ancient Greek Πυγμαῖος (Pugmaios, "a member of a race of dwarves"), from πυγμή ("fist (as small as a fist)")

Alternative forms

• pigmy

Full definition of pygmy

Noun

1. (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
2. (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)
3. (figuratively) Any dwarfish person''Everyone looked like Pygmies whenever giant Joe joined his classmates
4. (figuratively) An insignificant person, at least in some respect''Despite his towering stature, the minister proved a political pygmy

Synonyms

• dwarf
• midget

Antonyms

• giant

Derived terms

• pygmyish
• pygmyism
• pygmy hippopotamus
• pygmy sperm whale

Related terms

• pygmoid

Adjective

1. Relating or belonging to the Pygmy people
2. Like a pygmy; unusually short or small for its kind''Soil exhaustion ultimately produces a pygmy crop at best

Synonyms

• pygmyish
• dwarfish