\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\, Pygmean \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} (Zo["o]l.), the kleeneboc.
{Pygmy goose} (Zo["o]l.), any species of very small geese of
   the genus {Nettapus}, native of Africa, India, and
   Australia.
{Pygmy owl} (Zo["o]l.), the gnome.
{Pygmy parrot} (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of very
   small green parrots ({Nasitern[ae]}), 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.