bantam — English Dictionary

Noun

1. Any of several small chickens, especially of a breed that is a miniature version of another breed.

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   From the dairy we passed into the poultry-yard; and there I was introduced to a train of milk-white turkeys, and fowls of the same colour, a few bantams, and three galenies, Mrs. Helen's especial favourites, […]

2. A competitor in an age division between peewee and midget.

3. a postage stamp much smaller than usual, noteably the UK 1870 halfpenny, and some WW2 era South African issues.

   Usage

   • Informal

4. a member of special World War I infantry units composed of men who were shorter than the standard military height requirement

   Usage

   • UK usage
   • Historical
   • Informal

Adjective

1. Small or miniature.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Examples

   Dragonflies may be bantam, but their appetite is bottomless.

2. Spirited or aggressive.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

Adjective

1. very small

   Synonyms

   diminutivelilliputianmidgetpetitetinyflyspeck

   Examples

   diminutive in stature

   a lilliputian chest of drawers

   More examples (3)

   her petite figure

   tiny feet

   the flyspeck nation of Bahrain moved toward democracy

Noun

1. any of various small breeds of fowl

   Broader terms

   domestic fowlfowlpoultry