Word Study
bantam
CIDE DICTIONARY
bantam, n.
A variety of small barnyard fowl, with feathered legs, probably brought from Bantam, a district of Java. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
bantam, n.
1 any of several small breeds of domestic fowl, of which the cock is very aggressive.
2 a small but aggressive person.
1 any of several small breeds of domestic fowl, of which the cock is very aggressive.
2 a small but aggressive person.
Etymology
app. f. Bantan in Java, although the fowl is not native there
THESAURUS
bantam
arch, baby, baby-sized, banty, button, chit, compact, diminutive, duodecimo, featherweight, fingerling, handy, lightweight, little, malapert, mini, miniature, miniaturized, minikin, minimal, minnow, minny, minuscule, monkey, mouse, nubbin, peewee, pert, petite, pocket, pocket-sized, pony, runt, shrimp, slip, small fry, small-scale, snip, snippet, subminiature, tit, toy, twelvemo, vest-pocket, wart, wispFor further exploring for "bantam" in Webster Dictionary Online