Dictionary
pygmy
noun pyg·my \ˈpig-mē\
Pygmy : a member of a group of very small people who live in Africa
: a person who is regarded as very weak, stupid, etc.
plural pygmies also pigmies
Full Definition of PYGMY
1
often capitalized : any of a race of dwarfs described by ancient Greek authors
2
capitalized : any of a small people of equatorial Africa ranging under five feet (1.5 meters) in height
3
a (1) : an unusually small person (2) : an insignificant or unimpressive person <an intellectual pygmy> b : something very small of its kind
— pygmy adjective
See pygmy defined for English-language learners
See pygmy defined for kids
Variants of PYGMY
pyg·my also pig·my \ˈpig-mē\
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Origin of PYGMY
Middle English pigmei, from Latin pygmaeus of a pygmy, dwarfish, from Greek pygmaios, from pygmē fist, measure of length — more at pungent
First Known Use: 14th century
PYGMY Defined for Kids
pygmy
adjective pyg·my \ˈpig-mē\
Definition of PYGMY for Kids
: smaller than the usual size <a pygmy goat>
Medical Dictionary
pygmy
noun pyg·my
plural pygmies also pigmies
Medical Definition of PYGMY
1
capitalized : any of a small people of equatorial Africa ranging under five feet (1.5 meters) in height
2
: a relatively short or small individual : dwarf
—pygmy adjective
Variants of PYGMY
pyg·my also pig·my \ˈpig-mē\
Learn More About PYGMY
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