Etymology

Noun

1. (often capitalized, usually in the plural: Pygmies) A member of one of various Ancient Equatorial African tribal peoples, notable for their very short stature

   The Bantu immigration drove many Pygmy tribes into the darkest jungle, while other Pygmies were reduced to cohabitation in a subservient status

2. A member of a race of dwarfs

   Homer and Herodote mentioned Pygmies in India (which would fit the Andamanese Negritoes) or Ethiopia (then meaning all Subsaharan Africa)

3. Any dwarfish person

   Everyone looked like Pygmies whenever giant Joe joined his classmates

4. An insignificant person, at least in some respect

   Despite his towering stature, the minister proved a political pygmy

Adjective

1. Relating or belonging to the Pygmy people

   Most other children outgrow Pygmy adults well before puberty

2. Like a pygmy; unusually short or small for its kind

   Soil exhaustion ultimately produces a pygmy crop at best