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P — Putage to Pygmy (Part 6 of 6)

Pygmy
(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.