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Pygmeæ
Spirits celestial influences and signs · A Chymical Dictionary
At a Glance
The word. A name used for artificial people and, sometimes, underground spirits.
In the book. Sylphes and Vmbragines are referred to pygmies.
A place to read. The historical definition below, 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 38; facsimile PDF page 366.
Historical Definition
Pygmeæ are called artificial people, and sometimes subterranean spirits.
Meaning
The definition records two ranges, with sometimes qualifying the second. Artificial people and subterranean spirits should therefore both remain accessible without being forced into a single description.
Use in the Book
Sylphes and Vmbragines are referred to pygmies. Those short cross-references can lead to this fuller entry, which gives the range missing from an isolated English equivalent. Homunculus, elsewhere in the dictionary, also concerns artificial humanity and receives its own qualifications.
Places to Read
Sylphes. A spirit name locally equated with pygmies.
Vmbragines. Another name referred to pygmies.
Homunculus. An artificial human being, with an additional image sense.
In This Edition
The wording is presented as historical classification. The article does not claim that artificial people were actually produced, nor does it assume one modern folklore scheme governs every named spirit.
Historical source: 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 38; facsimile PDF page 366 — Facsimile
See also. Sylphes; Vmbragines; Homunculus