midget

midget
midgetism, n.
/mij"it/, n.
1. (not in technical use) an extremely small person having normal physical proportions.
2. any animal or thing that is very small for its kind.
adj.
3. very small or of a class below the usual size.
4. being a miniature replica or model.
[1850-55; MIDGE + -ET]
Syn. 1. See dwarf.

* * *

      in human anatomy, a person of very small stature whose bodily proportions, intelligence, and sexual development are within the normal range. Diminutive stature occurs sporadically in families the rest of whose members are of ordinary size. The children of midgets are usually of ordinary height and proportions. This term is often considered pejorative; the term proportionate dwarf is now preferred. See dwarfism; Pygmy.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • midget — [adj] short, small baby, diminutive, knee high*, Lilliputian, miniature, minikin, pocket, teensy*, teeny*, tiny; concepts 773,779 Ant. big, giant, huge, large, tall midget [n] small person bantam, gnome, homuncule, homunculus, Lilliputian*,… …   New thesaurus

  • midget — ► NOUN 1) an extremely small person. 2) (before another noun ) extremely small: a midget submarine …   English terms dictionary

  • Midget — Midg et, n. [Dim. of midge.] 1. (Zo[ o]l.) A minute bloodsucking fly. [Local, U. S.] [1913 Webster] 2. A very diminutive person having normal proportions of the body parts; compare {dwarf}. [1913 Webster +PJC] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • midget — (n.) as a type of tiny biting insect, 1839, American English, from MIDGE (Cf. midge), perhaps with dim. suffix et. Dr. Webster is in error in saying the word midge is not in use at the present day. In the neighboring Green mountain districts, one …   Etymology dictionary

  • midget — n manikin, pygmy, *dwarf, homunculus, runt …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • midget — [mij′it] n. [dim. of MIDGE] 1. a person who is much smaller than average, with head, limbs, and trunk proportionate to each other in size 2. anything very small of its kind adj. very small of its kind; miniature SYN. DWARF …   English World dictionary

  • Midget — For the car, see MG Midget or Daihatsu Midget. For the band, see Midget (band). A midget is a short person with relatively average bodily proportions in comparison with other human beings. The term is often improperly used to describe a person… …   Wikipedia

  • Midget — Este artículo o sección necesita referencias que aparezcan en una publicación acreditada, como revistas especializadas, monografías, prensa diaria o páginas de Internet fidedignas. Puedes añadirlas así o avisar …   Wikipedia Español

  • Midget — Del inglés (sust.) Enano/a. (adj.) Pequeño/a, diminuto/a; en miniatura. Deportes: Autos Midget (Automovilismo) Categoría automovilística de orígenes norteamericanos, donde los autos se destacan por la ausencia de frenos y no poseer caja de… …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • midget — I UK [ˈmɪdʒɪt] / US noun [countable] Word forms midget : singular midget plural midgets 1) offensive an adult who has not grown to full size. Many people now think this word is offensive and a more polite word is person of restricted growth. 2)… …   English dictionary

  • midget — midg|et1 [ˈmıdʒıt] n [Date: 1800 1900; Origin: midge] 1.) taboo a very offensive word for someone who is very short because their body has not grown normally. Do not use this word. →↑dwarf 2.) BrE informal someone who is not very tall midget 2… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”