Pyg"my, n. 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.
{ Pyg"my (?), Pyg*me"an (?), }
a. [L. pygmaeus. See Pygmy.] Of
or pertaining to a pygmy; resembling a pygmy or dwarf; dwarfish; very
small. " Like that Pygmean race." Milton.
Pygmy antelope (Zoöl.), the
kleeneboc. -- Pygmy goose (Zoöl.),
any species of very small geese of the genus Nettapus,
native of Africa, India, and Australia. -- Pygmy
owl (Zoöl.), the gnome. --
Pygmy parrot (Zoöl.), any one of
several species of very small green parrots (Nasiternæ),
native of New Guinea and adjacent islands. They are not larger than
sparrows.
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.
2. Hence, a short, insignificant person; a
dwarf.
Pygmies are pygmies still, though perched
on Alps.
And pyramids are pyramids in vales.
Young.
Pyg"my, n. 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.
