Pygmies

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Pygmy \Pyg"my\, n.; pl. {Pygmies}. [L. pygmaeus, Gr. ?, fr. ?
     the fist, a measure of length, the distance from the elbow to
     the knuckles, about 131 inches. Cf. {Pugnacious}, {Fist}.]
     [Written also {pigmy}.]
     1. (Class. Myth.) One of a fabulous race of dwarfs who waged
        war with the cranes, and were destroyed.


        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. Hence, a short, insignificant person; a dwarf.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. One of a race of Central African Negritos found chiefly in
        the great forests of the equatorial belt. They are the
        shortest of known races, the adults ranging from less than
        four to about five feet in stature. They are timid and
        shy, dwelling in the recesses of the forests, though often
        on good terms with neighboring Negroes.
        [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
  
              Pygmies are pygmies still, though perched on Alps.
              And pyramids are pyramids in vales.   --Young.
        [1913 Webster]