pygmy /ˈpɪɡmi/noun 5adjective 2forms 3 noun5 •(nonstandard, old-fashioned) A member of one of various tribal peoples of the Congo Basin in equatorial Africa, notable for their very short stature.The dark negroid Pygmies (Negrittos) are found in the Belgian Congo and in the equatorial area. — 1927 •(nonstandard, old-fashioned) Also applied to various other peoples of short stature.As the Bushman folk are of low stature - the men from four feet six inches to four feet ten inches - they are classed as "Pygmies". — 1927 •(offensive, figurative) An insignificant person, at least in some respect.On the world stage Germany is an economic giant but a political pygmy, Britain in comparison a political giant but an economic pygmy. — 2016 •(offensive, figurative) Any dwarfish person or thing; a disparaging term for a small person.“Look, you little pygmy, I’m going to shove this dagger right through your chicken neck if you don’t tell us!” — 2008 •A member of various legendary races of dwarfs, or supernatural peoples of diminutive stature.I've seen unicorns in Burma and a yeti in Nepal; / and I've danced with ten-foot Pygmies in a Montezuma Hall. — 1986 adjective2 •Unusually short or small for its kind, especially in the names of animals and plants.Amongst foodgrains, as we travelled from the green South and East towards the dry North and West, the pygmy crop of rice gave way to the tall bajra and jowar. — 1999 •Relating or belonging to the Pygmy people. formspygmies · more pygmy · most pygmy
