I. noun
also pig·my ˈpigmē, -mi
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English pigmei, from Latin pygmaeus of a pygmy, dwarfish (n. plural pygmaei, from Greek pygmaioi ), from Greek pygmaios of a pygmy, from pygmē fist, measure of length, distance from the elbow to the knuckles — more at pungent
1. often capitalized : one of a fabled race of dwarfs described by ancient Greek authors
2. usually capitalized : one of a small people of equatorial Africa ranging under five feet in height, having dark skin but lighter than that of true Negroes, poorly developed chins, moderately round heads, and broad noses, practicing a crude hunting culture, using the languages of their nearest neighbors, and being prob. most closely related to the Negritos
3.
a. : a short insignificant person : dwarf
b. : elf , gnome , pixy
c. : a thing very small for its kind
4. obsolete : a chimpanzee or other anthropoid ape
II. adjective
1. : of or relating to the Pygmies or a pygmy
2. : resembling a pygmy : dwarfish : very small
III. transitive verb
also pigmy “
( -ed/-ing/-es )
: to make a pygmy of : cause to appear small or insignificant : dwarf