noun pl. Pygmies -·mies

1. any of several groups of small African or Asian peoples described in ancient history and legend
2. a person belonging to any of several modern African (Negrillo) and Asian (Negrito) peoples of small stature
3. any person, animal, or plant abnormally undersized; dwarf
4. an insignificant person or thing

Etymology: ME pigmey < L pygmaeus < Gr pygmaios, of the length of the pygmē, forearm and fist, also fist: see pugnacious

adjective

1. of the Pygmies
2. 1. very small
   2. insignificant