English

Noun

Portrait of Sebastián de Morra (c. 1645) by Diego Velázquez. The subject of the painting, a midget or dwarf, was a jester at the court of Philip IV of Spain.

midget ‎(plural midgets)

1. (originally) A little sandfly.

   Although tiny and just two-winged, midgets can bite you manyfold till you itch all over your unprotected skin

2. (loosely) Any small swarming insect similar to the mosquito; a midge
3. A normally proportioned person with small stature, usually defined as reaching an adult height less than 4'10". [from later 19th c.]
4. (sometimes derogatory) Any short person.
5. (attributively) That is a small version of something; miniature

   the midget pony

Usage notes

• Used for an insect, this is a variation on midge that is incorrect but commonly used.

Synonyms

• (person below 4'10"): dwarf (loosely)
• (derogatory: any small person): dwarf, short-arse, shortie/shorty, tich/titch, vertically challenged person (humorous)
• (swarming insect): midge
• (miniature): dwarf

Hyponyms

• (a small person): manikin, homunculus, pygmy, lilliputian

Antonyms

• (derogatory: any small person): giant
• (miniature): giant

Translations

loosely: a midge See midge

References

• “midget” in Douglas Harper, Online Etymology Dictionary (2001).