Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913
Pygmy
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. πυγμαῖος, fr. πυγμή 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.