I. ˈbantəm, -aan- noun
( -s )
Etymology: from Bantam, former residency in Java
1. usually capitalized
a. : a very small domestic fowl having feathered legs and feet and believed to have come from Java
b. : any of numerous small chiefly ornamental domestic fowls that are often miniatures of members of the standard breeds
a Cochin bantam
a Brahma bantam
2. : a person of diminutive stature and often combative disposition
3. : bantamweight
4. : jeep
II. adjective
1.
a. : small
bantam sized
b. : easily handled : small and manageable
a bantam edition of Shakespeare's complete works
bantam English cars
2. : saucy : pertly combative
her valiant bantam spirit — H.G.Wells
3. : of the junior age-group
a bantam baseball team