Pygmyism
/ˈpɪɡ.mi.ɪz.əm/noun
A condition historically described as extreme short stature or dwarfism, though the term is now dated and may be considered offensive.
Did you know?Ancient Greek Pygmaioi, later rendered as “Pygmies,” referred in myth and classical geography to a legendary short-statured people associated with battles against cranes.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*peug-
“To prick, strike, or make a sharp thrust”
Ancient Greek
Greek
pygmē
“The fist; also the measure from the elbow to the clenched fist”
Ancient Greek
Greek
Pygmaîos
“Fist-sized or measuring a pygmē; later associated with the legendary Pygmy people”
Classical Latin
Latin
Pygmaei
“The Pygmies, a legendary race described as exceptionally short”
16th Century
English
pygmy
“A person or thing of unusually small size; later also a name applied to certain African peoples”
19th Century
English
pygmyism
“The condition of being pygmy-like in stature; historically used for dwarfism or extreme shortness”