bantam

[ ban-tuhm ]
/ ˈbæn təm /

noun

(often initial capital letter) a chicken of any of several varieties or breeds characterized by very small size.
a small and feisty or quarrelsome person.

adjective

diminutive; tiny: bantam editions of the classics.

Origin of bantam

1740–50; apparently after Bantam, through which such chickens may have been imported to Europe

Definition for bantam (2 of 2)

Bantam
[ ban-tuh m; Dutch bahn-tahm ]
/ ˈbæn təm; Dutch bɑnˈtɑm /

noun

a village in W Java, in S Indonesia: first Dutch settlement in the East Indies.

Example sentences from the Web for bantam

British Dictionary definitions for bantam

bantam
/ (ˈbæntəm) /

noun

any of various very small breeds of domestic fowl
a small but aggressive person
boxing short for bantamweight
Canadian
  1. an age level of between 13 and 15 in amateur sport, esp ice hockey
  2. (as modifier)bantam hockey

Word Origin for bantam

C18: after Bantam village in Java, said to be the original home of this fowl