n. (also pigmy) (pl. -ies) 1 a member of a dwarf people of equatorial Africa and parts of SE Asia. 2 a very small person, animal, or thing. 3 an insignificant person. 4 (attrib.) a of or relating to pygmies. b (of a person, animal, etc.) dwarf. pygmaean adj. pygmean adj.
[ ME f. L pygmaeus f. Gk pugmaios dwarf f. pugme the length from elbow to knuckles, fist ]