Definition

1. Noun:

   • A person who is markedly small: A term for a person of unusually short stature, often due to a medical or genetic condition. This usage is now generally considered outdated and potentially offensive.
   • A very small thing: An object, animal, or plant that is much smaller than the usual size for its type.

2. Adjective:

   • Very small; diminutive: Describing something that is extremely small in size.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The story featured a kind-hearted midget who helped the lost children. (This usage reflects historical or literary contexts but is now avoided in modern respectful language.)
  • The horticulturalist developed a midget variety of apple tree for small gardens.

• Adjective:

  • They raced midget cars around the track.
  • She cultivated a beautiful garden of midget roses.

Advanced Usage

• The term "midget" is considered pejorative and offensive when used to describe a person with dwarfism. The preferred and respectful terms are "person of short stature" or "person with dwarfism." The adjective use for objects is generally acceptable but can sometimes carry negative connotations due to its association with the outdated noun.

Variants and Related Words

• Diminutive (adj/n): Extremely or unusually small. (e.g., )
• Petite (adj): (Used typically for a woman) Attractively small and slender. (e.g., )
• Miniature (adj/n): A much smaller version of something; made to a smaller scale. (e.g., )

Synonyms

• Noun (for person): Person of short stature, person with dwarfism (preferred), dwarf (though this term can also be considered impolite by some; medical context uses ).
• Noun/Adjective (for thing): Miniature, tiny, diminutive, small-scale, mini.

Related Phrases/Idioms

• Midget submarine: A very small submarine, typically used for covert operations.
• Midget car racing: A form of motorsport using very small, scaled-down vehicles.

Adjective

1. very small
   • diminutive in stature
   • a lilliputian chest of drawers
   • her petite figure
   • tiny feet
   • the flyspeck nation of Bahrain moved toward democracy

Noun

1. a person who is markedly small