rhizoverbBeta
DictionarypygmyVery small size
adjective / noun

pygmy

PIG-mee/ˈpɪɡmi/

Unusually small in size relative to its kind.

The pygmy horse stands beside a full-sized horse, emphasizing its unusually small stature.

A fully grown miniature horse stands beside a full-size adult horse, making its unusually small size for its kind immediately visible.
Etymology
pygmyGreekdwarfish person

Greek Pygmaios described a fabulous dwarf, giving the broader image of something unusually small. Its “cubit-tall” interpretation presumably reflects a folk-etymological adaptation of a foreign word.

In context

PHILOSOPHY ON HIPHOP-CRISY5:09
the Roman Catholic Church is now the largest secret society in the world beside which Freemasonry is but a pygmy
Theosophy or Jesuitism by H P Blavatsky 1888

More examples

  • The pygmy hippopotamus is smaller than the common hippopotamus.
  • Beside the old oak, this young tree looks like a pygmy.
  • These pygmy rabbits can hide beneath low shrubs.

Forms

pygmy · pygmies

Similar words

miniature
Describes a small version, often made to resemble something larger.
dwarf
Often identifies a naturally small variety of a larger species.
tiny
Means very small, without necessarily comparing others of its kind.