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bantam
[ ban-tuhm ]
/ ˈbæn təm /
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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.
OTHER WORDS FOR bantam
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
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In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
Origin of bantam
1740–50; apparently after Bantam, through which such chickens may have been imported to Europe
Words nearby bantam
bans, bansela, banshee, Banstead, bant, bantam, bantamweight, Bantam work, banteng, banter, ban-the-bomber
Other definitions for bantam (2 of 2)
Bantam
[ ban-tuhm; Dutch bahn-tahm ]
/ ˈbæn təm; Dutch bɑnˈtɑm /
noun
a village in W Java, in S Indonesia: first Dutch settlement in the East Indies.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use bantam in a sentence
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
- an age level of between 13 and 15 in amateur sport, esp ice hockey
- (as modifier)bantam hockey
Word Origin for bantam
C18: after Bantam village in Java, said to be the original home of this fowl
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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